PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksi Vihtala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Waclaw Panek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vihtala
vs
Panek

188 cm
25
218 lbs
18 - 4 - 0

195 cm
25
220 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

TWGC Champion
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

Perkele!

DJs Locker
****160Q Energy for $150****

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleksi Vihtala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Waclaw Panek!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Reed Andrews and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vihtala throws an overhand right that lands on Panek's shoulder, as Panek tries to avoid the shot.
Panek lands a really nice looking cross but Vihtala seems unphased.
Panek throws a looping overhand right but Vihtala ducks down to avoid it.
Panek cracks Vihtala with a right hand to the side of the head.
Panek swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Vihtala.
Panek is looking to slow Vihtala down with leg kicks.
Panek misses with a lunging right hand
and Vihtala connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Panek misses with a wild body shot.
Vihtala scores with a decent looking hook.
Vihtala throws a body kick that misses

and Panek counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
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!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Vihtala looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Panek is trying to control. Vihtala wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Panek seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Vihtala is looking to control Panek's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Vihtala avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panek is trying to control. Vihtala wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Panek is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Panek prevents Vihtala from standing back up.
Vihtala wants to control but Panek is keeping busy.
Vihtala wants to get back to his feet.

Vihtala looking for submissions off his back.
Panek is taking a breather. Vihtala says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panek sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Vihtala defending well though.
Panek trying to control the action but Vihtala is working from the bottom.
Vihtala moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Panek is fighting to break Vihtala's control of his arms but Vihtala is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Vihtala looking for a guillotine here but Panek defends easily.
Panek slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Panek trying to advance position but Vihtala counters by regaining guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Panek wants to control from the top but Vihtala keeps moving.
Panek pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vihtala is keeping the position for now.

Vihtala looking for a guillotine here but Panek defends easily.

Vihtala is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Panek is aware though and is defending well.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Panek accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Panek trying to control but Vihtala is working from the bottom.
Panek is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Panek postures up.
Vihtala is really struggling to control Panek but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vihtala working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Panek doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Panek manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Panek wants to pass the guard but Vihtala is keeping the position.
Vihtala wants to sweep here but Panek controlling him for the moment.

Vihtala is looking for a triangle but Panek pushes his legs off easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Panek lands a couple of digs.
Panek stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vihtala swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waclaw Panek dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Vihtala ducks under a wild hook from Panek.
Nice defenses there by Panek.
Panek avoids a punch combination nicely.
Panek avoids a kick to the body.
Panek darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Vihtala looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Panek works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Panek lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Panek blocks the body kick.
Panek lunges at Vihtala with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Vihtala's hand.
Panek has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Vihtala misses with a body shot.
Waclaw Panek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Panek stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Vihtala.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vihtala tries to close the distance and clinch but Panek swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Panek on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Panek misses with a body shot.
Vihtala slips a straight right by Panek.
Vihtala digs a good hook to Panek's body.
A head kick misses from Vihtala.
Panek fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Vihtala walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Panek moves out of range as Vihtala throws a body kick.
Panek shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Vihtala but Vihtala pushes him off and we're back to square one.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Vihtala checks a leg kick.
Panek has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Panek shoots in for a double leg but Vihtala sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Panek takes a swing at Vihtala's ribcage but misses.
Panek checks the leg kick.
Panek scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vihtala. Panek does a little dance to reset his feet.
Waclaw Panek seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vihtala tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Panek paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Aleksi Vihtala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Panek looks to land a left hand but Vihtala moved out of range nicely.
Vihtala tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Panek throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Panek keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Panek shoots in and drives through. Vihtala sprawls well.
Aleksi Vihtala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Waclaw Panek.
Panek staying out of range there.
Vihtala throws a right hand that Panek ducks under and follows up with a left that Panek also avoids with ease.
Panek misses with a hook
and Vihtala counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vihtala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Panek ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Vihtala misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Panek cracks Vihtala with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Vihtala misses with a straight left.
Vihtala throws a right and a left that Panek avoids nicely.
Vihtala displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Panek.
A cross from Panek lands.
Panek dodges the punch combination from Vihtala.
Vihtala connects with a leg kick. Panek looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Panek lands a jab to the nose.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vihtala misses with a low kick.

Panek drives through with a takedown into guard.
Panek seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Panek wants to control from the top but Vihtala keeps moving.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Panek scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Vihtala is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Panek prevents Vihtala from getting back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Panek slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Vihtala regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Waclaw Panek showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Panek misses with a low kick.
Panek takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Panek darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Panek changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vihtala tries to avoid it but Panek manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vihtala to the ground. Vihtala escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vihtala throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vihtala lands with a straight right. Panek didn't see that one coming.
Panek is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vihtala sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Panek manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Vihtala on his heels. He'll look to pass Vihtala's guard now, I'm sure.
Panek tries to free his leg and advance position but Vihtala is retaining full guard.
Waclaw Panek has got the better of the ground game so far.
Panek trying to control the position from guard on top but Vihtala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vihtala 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.
Panek is looking to advance position but Vihtala has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Panek is squirming around, avoiding Vihtala's attempts to control the action.
Vihtala prevents Panek from getting the reversal.
Panek wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Vihtala wants to control but Panek is keeping busy.
Panek trying to control the action but Vihtala just sinks the hooks in.
Vihtala controlling well, preventing Panek from escaping the position.
Vihtala is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Vihtala looking to break Panek's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Panek remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Vihtala will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
You can see the frustration on Panek's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Vihtala looking to break Panek's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Panek remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Vihtala will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Vihtala has the hooks in. Panek is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Aleksi Vihtala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Vihtala is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Panek is defending well though. Vihtala let's go of the attempt for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Panek looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Vihtala has the hooks in. Panek is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vihtala working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Vihtala somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Panek staying busy and making it hard for Vihtala to control.
Waclaw Panek is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
I really don't envy Panek right now.
Panek prevents Vihtala from getting a body triangle.

Vihtala is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
I really don't envy Panek right now.
Panek breaks Vihtala's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Panek stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vihtala swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vihtala is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Panek controls from within his opponent's guard.
Vihtala wants to stand up but Panek is controlling him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Panek forces his way into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Panek controlling the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Waclaw Panek.
Well Panek has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Waclaw Panek!
A very excited looking Waclaw Panek made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.