PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Markus Serdal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Markus Serdal has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Serdal
vs
Maanpohja

170 cm
30
170 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

171 cm
21
173 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Markus Serdal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Alexandre Firmino and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Serdal pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A shot to the liver by Maanpohja. Beautiful body shot.
A cross from Serdal lands.
Serdal lands a high kick!
A left lands for Maanpohja.

Maanpohja closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Serdal did well to prevent Maanpohja getting side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Maanpohja wants to stand up but Serdal has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Serdal tries to roll over but Maanpohja keeps him under control.
Serdal wants to sweep but Maanpohja has passed to side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Serdal is looking for a sweep.
Maanpohja is looking to take a break and control but Serdal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Maanpohja is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Serdal is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Maanpohja trying to control the action but Serdal is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maanpohja working away.
Serdal tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Maanpohja wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Serdal is trying to control Maanpohja's posture but Maanpohja avoids it.

Maanpohja is trying to get an arm triangle but Serdal is defending well.
Serdal tries to buck Maanpohja off but Maanpohja is having none of it.
Maanpohja wants to stand but Serdal has his arm trapped.
Maanpohja controlling the position from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Serdal can't do much from the bottom here.
Serdal is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Maanpohja wants to stand but Serdal has his arm trapped.

Maanpohja decides to stand up, so the ref orders Serdal to his feet.
Maanpohja dives in and grabs Serdal's left leg, looking for a takedown. Serdal pushes down on Maanpohja's head and hops out.

Serdal tries to sprawl but Maanpohja drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Serdal tries to get to full guard but Maanpohja has control of the leg.

Maanpohja is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Serdal moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Serdal trying to control the position.
Maanpohja wants to get up but he can't break Serdal's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Maanpohja drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Serdal dives on top into guard.

Serdal 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Maanpohja is on top in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Serdal keeping moving, preventing Maanpohja from controlling successfully.
Serdal controls Maanpohja momentarily but Maanpohja frees himself.
Maanpohja wants to pass the guard but Serdal is keeping the position.
Maanpohja passes Serdal's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Serdal is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Serdal works his way to full guard. Good work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Serdal looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maanpohja tries to free his leg and advance position but Serdal is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johannes Maanpohja dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Serdal throws out a loose jab but Maanpohja uses good head movement to avoid it.

Serdal fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Maanpohja, pushing him back against the cage.
Serdal tries for a takedown but Maanpohja manages to get underhooks.
Serdal is looking for a takedown.
Maanpohja gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Serdal.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Markus Serdal. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Maanpohja tries for a takedown. No joy.
Serdal wants a takedown but no success here.
Maanpohja tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Serdal avoids it.
Serdal has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Maanpohja avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Serdal stops a takedown attempt from Maanpohja.

Maanpohja tightens his grip and picks Serdal up, before dumping him to the ground. Serdal manages to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maanpohja forces his way into half guard.

Serdal looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Serdal wants to get back to full guard.
Serdal works his way to full guard. Good work.
Maanpohja trying to control the position from guard on top but Serdal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Maanpohja 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.
Maanpohja preventing the sweep.
Maanpohja sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Serdal's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Serdal works his way to full guard. Good work.
Serdal is trying to keep Maanpohja in close.
Maanpohja stopping the sweep attempt from Serdal.
Maanpohja passes Serdal's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Maanpohja is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Serdal!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maanpohja controlling the pace for now.
Maanpohja looking to control but Serdal is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Serdal tries to lock up and control but Maanpohja gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja with the ground and pound from mount.
Maanpohja thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Maanpohja tries to control but Serdal wriggling away.

Maanpohja is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Serdal can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Serdal trying desperately to get to his feet.
Serdal tries to lock up and control but Maanpohja gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Maanpohja connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Maanpohja tries to stand up but he's trapped just for the moment.
Serdal bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Maanpohja working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maanpohja looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Serdal has picked Maanpohja up and slammed him! Maanpohja can't keep hold of the triangle and Serdal manages to pass to side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Serdal is trying to get an arm triangle but Maanpohja is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maanpohja sneaks back into half guard.
Maanpohja missing with punches from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Serdal blocks the strikes from Maanpohja.

Maanpohja actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johannes Maanpohja showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Serdal moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Maanpohja on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Serdal scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Maanpohja doesn't seem bothered though.
Maanpohja shoots in and drives through. Serdal sprawls well.
Serdal defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Maanpohja.
Serdal lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Maanpohja backs up against the cage.

Serdal gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Serdal prevents a takedown attempt there.
Markus Serdal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johannes Maanpohja.
Serdal tries for a takedown but Maanpohja manages to get underhooks.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maanpohja changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Serdal fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Maanpohja scores with a takedown into Serdal's guard.
Maanpohja takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Serdal looking to hit a scissor sweep but Maanpohja is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maanpohja passes Serdal's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Maanpohja is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Serdal is just riding it out for now. Maanpohja eventually gives up the hold.
Maanpohja wants to take a breather but Serdal is having none of it.
Maanpohja tries to pass the half guard into mount. Serdal knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Serdal is looking for a sweep. Maanpohja is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Markus Serdal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Serdal is looking to control Maanpohja's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Serdal avoid being mounted?
Serdal holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Serdal regains full guard. Nicely done.

Serdal is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maanpohja defends well.

Serdal throws his legs up looking for a submission but Maanpohja uses it to pass to side control.
Maanpohja wants to stand but Serdal has his arm trapped.
Serdal is being controlled here.

Maanpohja is trying to get an arm triangle but Serdal is defending well.
Serdal tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Maanpohja wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja working away.
Serdal wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Maanpohja is looking to take a break and control but Serdal is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Maanpohja tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Serdal being controlled for a moment.

Maanpohja is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Serdal has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Maanpohja working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Maanpohja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Serdal keeps working.
Johannes Maanpohja has got the better of the ground game so far.
Serdal struggling a bit here.
Johannes Maanpohja is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Maanpohja trying to control the action but Serdal is working from the bottom.

Maanpohja stands up and we're back to a striking position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Johannes Maanpohja.
I've got Maanpohja 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johannes Maanpohja!
Johannes Maanpohja was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.