PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ode Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timo Vesala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vesala has chosen Bomfunk MC's - Freestyler as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Jokinen
vs
Vesala

163 cm
23
150 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

160 cm
23
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)
Namunamu Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ode Jokinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Timo Vesala!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Paul Tew and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vesala rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Jokinen counters with a shoot takedown. Vesala fights it but they end up in guard.
Jokinen being controlled here momentarily.
Jokinen throwing strikes from guard but Vesala blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Vesala escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Jokinen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Jokinen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Vesala is keeping the position for now.
Jokinen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Vesala looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen throws an elbow that misses. Vesala uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jokinen's guard. Nice move by Vesala!

Vesala is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Jokinen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Jokinen has escaped and now he's on top!
Jokinen looking to pass the guard.
Vesala keeping moving, preventing Jokinen from controlling successfully.
Jokinen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Jokinen looking to sit in guard and control but Vesala gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesala postures up.
Vesala trying to control the position from guard on top but Jokinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jokinen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vesala trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
Jokinen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ode Jokinen wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Vesala shoots in but Jokinen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Vesala throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Jokinen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jokinen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jokinen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Jokinen postures up and lands a big shot to Vesala's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen throws a big elbow that misses.
Vesala bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Jokinen's guard.
Vesala is fighting to break Jokinen's control of his arms but Jokinen is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Vesala stopping the sweep attempt from Jokinen.
Vesala pushing down on Jokinen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vesala looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Vesala is looking to stall here but Jokinen recovers full guard.
Jokinen pulls Vesala in close to his closed guard and prevents Vesala from doing any damage or advancing position.
Jokinen 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jokinen keeping moving, preventing Vesala from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jokinen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jokinen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vesala throws out the jab.
Jokinen takes a swing at Vesala's ribcage but misses.
Vesala uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jokinen.
Vesala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jokinen moves away.
Vesala getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Vesala staying out of range there.
Vesala tries to clinch but Jokinen is having none of it.
Vesala tries to move into range but Jokinen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Good standup being displayed there by Vesala as he connects with a hook.
Vesala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jokinen.
Jokinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Vesala misses with a wild body shot.
Jokinen lands with a nice body punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jokinen. Vesala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vesala tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jokinen defends well and Vesala ends up having to push Jokinen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen throws a punch but it's blocked by Vesala.
Jokinen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Jokinen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Jokinen lands a shot to the body.
Vesala is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A short right from Jokinen.
Vesala throws a punch but it's blocked by Jokinen.
Jokinen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Vesala backwards.
Jokinen is trying to drag Vesala to the mat but Vesala just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Jokinen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vesala trying to stall but Jokinen improves his position.
Jokinen lands a body punch.
Jokinen is leaning against Vesala and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Vesala looking to stall.
Jokinen misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Vesala looking to slow down the pace here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jokinen tries to work over Vesala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jokinen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Vesala is defending well.
Jokinen tries to work over Vesala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jokinen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Jokinen misses with a punch on the inside.
Jokinen stops a takedown attempt from Vesala.
Ode Jokinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timo Vesala.
Jokinen is trying to drag Vesala to the mat but Vesala just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Vesala's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Vesala blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vesala lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vesala working aggressively here.
Jokinen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A hook to the body from Jokinen.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Jokinen cracks Vesala with a nice body shot.
Jokinen blocking some punches.
Vesala doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jokinen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Vesala stalling in the clinch.
Jokinen struggles to land a body shot inside as Vesala controls his hands.
A short right from Vesala on the inside.
Jokinen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Jokinen misses with a punch to the body.
Vesala stalling in the clinch but Jokinen improves position.
Jokinen blocking some punches.
Vesala is trying to maintain a safe position but Jokinen gets an underhook and turns Vesala into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vesala holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Vesala tries to stall but Jokinen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Jokinen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jokinen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jokinen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jokinen scores with a hook to the body.
Jokinen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jokinen digs a right hand underneath Vesala's ribcage. Vesala let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Vesala tries to stall but Jokinen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Vesala working aggressively here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vesala.
Jokinen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jokinen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Vesala is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Vesala prevents a body shot from Jokinen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ode Jokinen dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Jokinen takes a swing at Vesala's ribcage but misses.
Vesala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Vesala wants it to stay on the feet.
Vesala throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jokinen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Vesala throws a shot from downtown. Jokinen moves away and avoids it.
Jokinen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vesala manages to avoid it.
Jokinen looks to throw the jab but Vesala is out of range.
Jokinen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vesala manages to avoid it.

Jokinen takes the fight into the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Vesala.
Jokinen tries to throw a body punch but Vesala avoids it by throwing Jokinen back against the cage.
Jokinen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jokinen misses with a body punch.
Jokinen blocking some punches.
Vesala blocks a body shot from Jokinen.
A body shot lands from Jokinen.
A short right from Jokinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good body shot from Jokinen.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Vesala.
Vesala looking to stall.
Jokinen working aggressively here.
Jokinen cracks Vesala with a nice body shot.
Jokinen pushes Vesala back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Vesala misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jokinen.
Jokinen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Vesala blocks an uppercut.
Vesala is trying to maintain a safe position but Jokinen gets an underhook and turns Vesala into the cage.

Jokinen wants the takedown. Vesala is fighting it off but Jokinen persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Vesala's guard against the cage.
Vesala wants to sweep here but Jokinen controlling him for the moment.
Ode Jokinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vesala is trying to keep Jokinen in close.
Jokinen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vesala tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jokinen slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Jokinen landing with the ground and pound.
Jokinen stays in close to Vesala's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Ode Jokinen wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Vesala misses with a looping left.
Jokinen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jokinen misses with a body shot.
Jokinen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jokinen misses with a hook. Vesala ducked under it nicely.
Jokinen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Jokinen catches Vesala with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Vesala has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Jokinen finds it's way round the side to connect with Vesala's head.
Vesala has a takedown stuffed.
Jokinen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen thuds a left hand into Vesala's body.
Timo Vesala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vesala shoots for a takedown but Jokinen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jokinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jokinen swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Jokinen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jokinen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Jokinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Vesala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jokinen stays in close to Vesala's body and controls the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Timo Vesala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ode Jokinen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Jokinen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ode Jokinen!
Ode Jokinen decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.