PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arttu Mahtisaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Poutsi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tim Poutsi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mahtisaari
vs
Poutsi

178 cm
24
195 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

183 cm
24
202 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arttu Mahtisaari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tim Poutsi!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Bruno Lombardi and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Poutsi slips under a jab from Mahtisaari.

Poutsi moves into the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Poutsi blocks a body shot from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari lands with a left to the head.
Good body shot from Mahtisaari.
I was talking to Mahtisaari's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Poutsi misses with the head strike.
Mahtisaari struggles to land a body shot inside as Poutsi controls his hands.
Mahtisaari cracks Poutsi with a nice body shot.
Poutsi prevents a body shot from Mahtisaari.
Poutsi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Poutsi misses with the head strike.
Mahtisaari misses with some punches.
A right hand to the body from Poutsi.
Poutsi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Poutsi struggles to land a body shot inside as Mahtisaari controls his hands.
Poutsi digs a right hand into Mahtisaari's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mahtisaari's gas tank.
Poutsi blocking some punches.
Mahtisaari blocks a body shot from Poutsi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari can't find room to land a body shot as Poutsi controls the action.
A hook to the body from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari misses with a punch on the inside.
Mahtisaari works on Poutsi's body with a couple of short punches.
Mahtisaari misses with the head strike.
Poutsi lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mahtisaari blocks a body shot from Poutsi.
Mahtisaari on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Poutsi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Poutsi landing knees to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Poutsi creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice body punch from Mahtisaari - that landed with a thud.
Poutsi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Mahtisaari struggles to land a body shot inside as Poutsi controls his hands.
Poutsi lands a right hand.
Poutsi prevents a body shot from Mahtisaari.
Poutsi prevents a body shot from Mahtisaari.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poutsi wants a takedown.
Poutsi can't find room to land a body shot as Mahtisaari controls the action.
Mahtisaari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Poutsi lands a hook that snaps the head of Mahtisaari backwards.
Poutsi blocks an uppercut.
Poutsi throws a punch but it's blocked by Mahtisaari.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mahtisaari.
Poutsi scores with a hook to the body.
Poutsi tries to land knees in the clinch but Mahtisaari avoids the damage to the body.
Poutsi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mahtisaari tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Poutsi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A head punch on the inside from Poutsi fails to land.
Mahtisaari can't find room to land a body shot as Poutsi controls the action.

Poutsi gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Mahtisaari regains guard.
Poutsi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poutsi pushing down on Mahtisaari's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Poutsi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Mahtisaari is staying active underneath Poutsi, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Poutsi is pressing down on Mahtisaari's thigh, looking to free his foot. Mahtisaari is holding on for now.
Poutsi trying to control from half guard but Mahtisaari is working away.
Poutsi thows a huge punch but Mahtisaari dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poutsi thows a huge punch but Mahtisaari dodges it nicely.
My spies in KO Gym inform me that Poutsi has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Poutsi is trying to control the action in half guard but Mahtisaari is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Poutsi with the ground and pound but Mahtisaari uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Poutsi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tim Poutsi was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Mahtisaari waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Poutsi.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahtisaari misses with a hook

and Poutsi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Poutsi works on Mahtisaari's body with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Poutsi dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mahtisaari defending well as Poutsi loads up on a big left hand.
Mahtisaari looks to score with a jab to the body but Poutsi is just out of range.
Mahtisaari misses with a hook to the body
and Poutsi counters with a stiff right hand.
Poutsi misses the jab.
Poutsi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice defenses there by Poutsi.
Poutsi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mahtisaari is fending him off so far but Poutsi persists. Nope, Mahtisaari circles away and we're back to standing.
Poutsi moves out of range of the strikes.
Mahtisaari throws a hook but Poutsi avoids it easily.
Poutsi misses with a wild body shot.
Poutsi tries to clinch but Mahtisaari is having none of it.
Poutsi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Mahtisaari closes the distance and clinches.
Mahtisaari lands a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari swings wildly with an uppercut but Poutsi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mahtisaari lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mahtisaari presses Poutsi against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short right from Mahtisaari.
Poutsi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Poutsi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Poutsi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Poutsi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Poutsi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mahtisaari avoids it.
A nice left hand lands by Poutsi.
Mahtisaari has a couple of punches blocked by Poutsi.

Poutsi lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Poutsi thows a huge punch but Mahtisaari dodges it nicely.
Poutsi misses with a head shot. Mahtisaari uses the momentum to regain guard.
Poutsi trying to control but Mahtisaari is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poutsi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Poutsi is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Mahtisaari keeping moving, preventing Poutsi from controlling successfully.
Poutsi postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poutsi trying to control the position from guard on top but Mahtisaari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Tim Poutsi.
Poutsi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mahtisaari throws out the jab.

Mahtisaari darts in and clinches Poutsi up against the cage.
Mahtisaari misses with a punch on the inside.
Mahtisaari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Poutsi swings wildly with an uppercut but Mahtisaari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Poutsi misses with a punch to the body.

Poutsi has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Mahtisaari is trying to keep an underhook but Poutsi manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Poutsi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Mahtisaari's head.
Poutsi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Poutsi stalling away here and it's allowed Mahtisaari to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poutsi trying to control but Mahtisaari is working from the bottom.
Mahtisaari is trying to control the position but Poutsi postures up.
Mahtisaari working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Poutsi.
Poutsi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mahtisaari swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mahtisaari preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Poutsi works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tim Poutsi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Mahtisaari digs a good body shot into Poutsi's ribs.
Poutsi moves in looking to clinch but Mahtisaari pushes him off.
A left lands for Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari throws the left hand but Poutsi avoids the punch easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Poutsi.
A swing and a miss from Mahtisaari.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Poutsi, as that shot connected.
Poutsi misses with the combination.
Poutsi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mahtisaari throws an off balance right hand
and Poutsi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mahtisaari connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Poutsi momentarily.
Mahtisaari just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Mahtisaari.
Poutsi misses with a hook. Mahtisaari ducked under it nicely.
Poutsi fails with an attempt to clinch.
A combination from Poutsi does no damage.
Poutsi misses with a hook
and Mahtisaari counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Poutsi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mahtisaari to score with a decent uppercut.
Mahtisaari scores with a crisp jab that stopped Poutsi in his tracks.
Poutsi just misses with a punch to the body.
Mahtisaari lands a glancing blow to the side of Poutsi's head.
Mahtisaari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Poutsi manages to avoid it.
Poutsi swings for the body but Mahtisaari moves out of range.
Mahtisaari lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Good standup being displayed there by Mahtisaari as he connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Poutsi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Mahtisaari slips under a jab from Poutsi.
Mahtisaari rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Poutsi counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Poutsi wants to take a breather but Mahtisaari is having none of it.
Mahtisaari regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Poutsi.
Mahtisaari preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Poutsi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Poutsi trying to control the position from guard on top but Mahtisaari is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari trying to control the position here.
Poutsi with a flurry of punches that miss.
Arttu Mahtisaari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mahtisaari is adopting a defensive guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Arttu Mahtisaari just wasn't active enough.
Poutsi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Poutsi blocks a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari takes a swing at Poutsi's ribcage but misses.
Poutsi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mahtisaari.
Poutsi scores with a nice head shot.
Poutsi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Arttu Mahtisaari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Mahtisaari clinches with his opponent.
Poutsi working aggressively here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mahtisaari tries to work over Poutsi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A left hand lands to the body for Poutsi.
Mahtisaari lands a nice shot to the body.
Poutsi lands a hook that snaps the head of Mahtisaari backwards.
Poutsi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahtisaari misses with the head strike.
Mahtisaari blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Tim Poutsi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Poutsi lands an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tim Poutsi.
I've got Poutsi 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tim Poutsi!
Tim Poutsi 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.