PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arttu Mahtisaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam McCullough (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McCullough has chosen Kan Ar Kern as his entrance music. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Mahtisaari
vs
McCullough

178 cm
25
195 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

188 cm
24
198 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Castor Originals

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arttu Mahtisaari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Liam McCullough!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Alyssa Summers and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCullough scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mahtisaari in his tracks.
McCullough looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
McCullough connects with a body shot that sends Mahtisaari's belly button to the back.
Mahtisaari swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mahtisaari jabbing away but nothing is landing.
McCullough avoids the body shot from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mahtisaari scores with a punch to the head.
Mahtisaari throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McCullough makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Mahtisaari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCullough cracks the inside of Mahtisaari's front leg.

Mahtisaari fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging McCullough to the ground. Mahtisaari is now in McCullough's 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!
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
McCullough working a defensive guard here.
Mahtisaari stays in close to McCullough's body and controls the position.
McCullough seems keen to control Mahtisaari's posture.
McCullough is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
McCullough looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Liam McCullough wasn't active enough on the ground.
Mahtisaari misses with a double jab.
McCullough takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mahtisaari darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Mahtisaari on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by McCullough. McCullough obviously looking to wear him down.
Mahtisaari misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
McCullough avoids the body shot from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent McCullough stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Mahtisaari takes a shot to the body in his stride.
McCullough keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCullough bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mahtisaari misses with a wild body shot.
Mahtisaari lands a straight punch to the body, keeping McCullough at a distance.
McCullough misses with a double jab
and Mahtisaari counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Mahtisaari misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCullough ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mahtisaari moves away.
McCullough throws a leg kick but Mahtisaari moved away.
Mahtisaari is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Mahtisaari throws a hook but McCullough blocks it.

Mahtisaari closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. McCullough did well to prevent Mahtisaari getting side control.
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!
Mahtisaari tries to pass the half guard into mount. McCullough knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Mahtisaari is controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mahtisaari trying to control the action but McCullough is working from the bottom.
McCullough trying to control here.
Mahtisaari with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Arttu Mahtisaari wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
McCullough connects with a looping right hand.
Mahtisaari sizes up McCullough with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A nice inside leg kick there by McCullough. That's going to slow Mahtisaari down.
McCullough with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mahtisaari to score with a decent uppercut.
McCullough avoids the body shot from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari throws a looping overhand right but McCullough ducks down to avoid it.
Mahtisaari swings and misses with a hook to the body.
McCullough pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mahtisaari is out of range and McCullough settles back down.
Mahtisaari throws an overhand right that lands on McCullough's shoulder, as McCullough tries to avoid the shot.
McCullough moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
McCullough scores with a nice body kick.
Mahtisaari thows a body shot but no joy.
McCullough looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Mahtisaari lands a jab to McCullough's midsection.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCullough ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
McCullough fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mahtisaari is out of range.
McCullough throws a wild body kick that Mahtisaari sees coming a mile off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari blocks a leg kick.
McCullough ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
McCullough connects with a looping right hand.
McCullough moves out of range as Mahtisaari strikes.
McCullough throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mahtisaari throws a jab when McCullough was well out of range.
McCullough looks to land a combination but Mahtisaari avoids it well.
McCullough fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
McCullough doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
McCullough is looking to land body kicks.
McCullough thumps Mahtisaari with a low kick.
Mahtisaari tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCullough was well out of range. Poor timing from Mahtisaari.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahtisaari takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A punch combination from McCullough misses.
Mahtisaari misses the jab.
Mahtisaari throws a hook to the side of McCullough's head but McCullough sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McCullough lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Liam McCullough will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

McCullough steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari throws an overhand right that lands on McCullough's shoulder, as McCullough tries to avoid the shot.
Mahtisaari moves out of range of the body kick from McCullough.
McCullough is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Mahtisaari rather than just go for the knockout.
McCullough lands with a shot to the body.
Mahtisaari misses with a wild body shot.
McCullough pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mahtisaari is out of range and McCullough settles back down.
Mahtisaari dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A slow jab from Mahtisaari misses its intended target.
Mahtisaari throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mahtisaari misses with a wild body shot.
McCullough lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Arttu Mahtisaari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mahtisaari looks to throw the jab but McCullough is out of range.
McCullough has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Mahtisaari finds it's way round the side to connect with McCullough's head.
McCullough slips a straight right by Mahtisaari.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mahtisaari. McCullough does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCullough lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mahtisaari connects with a nice looking jab.
Mahtisaari misses with a shot to the body
letting McCullough counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCullough scores with a jab to the head.
An inside leg kick from McCullough misses.
Mahtisaari works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mahtisaari. McCullough does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mahtisaari throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mahtisaari misses the shot to the body.
Liam McCullough is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mahtisaari cracks McCullough with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Mahtisaari throws a jab when McCullough was well out of range.
McCullough keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mahtisaari.
McCullough throws a big shot that misses.
McCullough moves away from the strike by Mahtisaari.
McCullough throws a wild body kick that Mahtisaari sees coming a mile off.
Mahtisaari misses with a wild body shot.
McCullough misses with a body kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Mahtisaari as he connects with a hook.
Mahtisaari misses with a body shot.
McCullough misses with a low kick as Mahtisaari jumps back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari lands a head shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mahtisaari fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
McCullough misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circling - Mahtisaari throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Some bone on bone action there as Mahtisaari checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McCullough slips a jab and a cross from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari misses with a jab, cross combination.
McCullough swings for the body but Mahtisaari moves out of range.
McCullough avoids the body shot from Mahtisaari.
A swing and a miss from Mahtisaari.
McCullough connects with a solid leg kick.
McCullough throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McCullough lands a leg kick that knocks Mahtisaari off balance momentarily.
Mahtisaari takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
McCullough misses with a body shot.
McCullough moves out of range as Mahtisaari strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice cross by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari misses with a straight right.
Liam McCullough seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice takedown defense from McCullough. No joy for Mahtisaari on that attempt.
Mahtisaari paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Mahtisaari takes one on the button.
Mahtisaari lands a nice shot that snaps McCullough's head back.
McCullough takes a swing at Mahtisaari's ribcage but misses.
Mahtisaari misses with a straight left.
McCullough cracks the inside of Mahtisaari's front leg.
McCullough uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
McCullough moves away from the strike by Mahtisaari.
A swing and a miss from McCullough.
McCullough keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCullough fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mahtisaari manages to avoid it.
McCullough lands the left hand.

McCullough gets caught napping as Mahtisaari dives in and scores a takedown. McCullough manages to retain guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCullough keeping moving, preventing Mahtisaari from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

We're going to have a standup here because Arttu Mahtisaari wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Mahtisaari lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
McCullough steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mahtisaari.
A kick lands to the mid section there for McCullough.
McCullough is looking to slow Mahtisaari down with leg kicks.
Mahtisaari connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahtisaari checks the leg kick.
McCullough tries a low kick but Mahtisaari avoids it.
Mahtisaari thows a body shot but no joy.
McCullough lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Arttu Mahtisaari will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

McCullough throws a quick inside leg kick.

Mahtisaari scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
McCullough tries to roll over but Mahtisaari keeps him under control.
Mahtisaari is looking to take a break and control but McCullough is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
McCullough wants to improve his position but Mahtisaari is controlling well.
McCullough is looking to control Mahtisaari's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can McCullough avoid being mounted?
Mahtisaari is trying to control. McCullough wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
McCullough tries to roll over but Mahtisaari keeps him under control.
Arttu Mahtisaari overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mahtisaari is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Arttu Mahtisaari.
McCullough with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
McCullough takes a swing at Mahtisaari's ribcage but misses.
McCullough takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McCullough has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari takes a swing at McCullough's ribcage but misses.
McCullough throws a leg kick but Mahtisaari sees it coming and checks it nicely.
McCullough blocks a jab.
McCullough takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Mahtisaari throws a body punch but McCullough moves out of range.
McCullough is looking to score with low kicks.
Mahtisaari is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
McCullough scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mahtisaari in his tracks.
Mahtisaari thows a left - swing and a miss!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by McCullough.
McCullough pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCullough lets loose with a powerful body kick. Mahtisaari will feel that in the morning.
Mahtisaari throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McCullough counters with a nice body kick.
McCullough keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCullough finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Mahtisaari waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McCullough.
McCullough fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Mahtisaari.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCullough throws a nice inside leg kick.
Mahtisaari connects with a right hand. McCullough shakes it off.
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!
Donk. McCullough catches Mahtisaari right on the button with a cross.
McCullough uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari blocks the body kick.
Mahtisaari lands with a straight right. McCullough didn't see that one coming.
Mahtisaari scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Mahtisaari 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.
McCullough seems keen to control Mahtisaari's posture.
Mahtisaari's corner is telling him to maintain position.
McCullough is controlling Mahtisaari's posture.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A looping hook to the body misses from McCullough. Mahtisaari does a little dance to reset his feet.
Mahtisaari throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCullough thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Mahtisaari if he has to take too many more of those.
McCullough throws a solid leg kick but Mahtisaari takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McCullough.
Mahtisaari throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCullough chopping away at his opponent's legs.
McCullough lands a nice looking body kick.
McCullough wants to slow Mahtisaari down by chopping away at his legs.
McCullough moves into range and connects with a jab.
McCullough tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mahtisaari is able to avoid easily.
McCullough lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Mahtisaari at a distance.
McCullough doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Mahtisaari throws a hook but McCullough blocks it.
Mahtisaari keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
McCullough scores with a kick to the body.
Mahtisaari keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Mahtisaari lands with a nice body punch.
McCullough has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCullough lands with a straight right. Mahtisaari didn't see that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from McCullough misses.
Mahtisaari staying out of range there.
McCullough thows a body shot but no joy.
McCullough takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A nice inside leg kick there by McCullough. That's going to slow Mahtisaari down.
A shot to the liver by McCullough. Beautiful body shot.
McCullough takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mahtisaari misses with a straight left.
Mahtisaari tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
McCullough closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Mahtisaari looks to throw the jab but McCullough is out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Mahtisaari throws the left hand but McCullough avoids the punch easily.
McCullough connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mahtisaari misses with a straight left.
Mahtisaari lands a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Liam McCullough.
I think McCullough has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Liam McCullough!
An out of breath Liam McCullough thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.