PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juntti Jallu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Merrimack Stronghammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Jallu
vs
Stronghammer

180 cm
22
230 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

173 cm
21
235 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juntti Jallu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Merrimack Stronghammer!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stronghammer misses with a takedown attempt - Jallu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nice sprawl there from Jallu as Stronghammer shoots in.

Stronghammer closes the distance and clinches.
Stronghammer wants to get back to striking at distance but Jallu won't allow it.
Jallu with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Jallu avoiding damage.
Jallu wants to stall.
Jallu tries to land knees in the clinch but Stronghammer avoids the damage to the body.
Jallu is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Juntti Jallu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Merrimack Stronghammer.
Jallu is trying to maintain a safe position but Stronghammer gets an underhook and turns Jallu into the cage.
Jallu can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
Jallu misses with some punches.
Jallu misses with a knee to the head.
Jallu trying to control the position but instead, Stronghammer has worked for underhooks and has pushed Jallu into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Juntti Jallu.

Stronghammer darts in and clinches Jallu up against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stronghammer dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Stronghammer on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Stronghammer escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Stronghammer misses with a two punch combination.

Stronghammer bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Stronghammer content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Stronghammer goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Jallu has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Stronghammer but great work by Jallu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jallu trying to control the action but Stronghammer is working from the bottom.
Stronghammer is trying to get back to half guard.
Stronghammer struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jallu stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Jallu leaves Stronghammer with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A solid leg kick lands there for Jallu.
Jallu wants to clinch.
Stronghammer throws a body kick that misses.
Jallu tries to clinch up but Stronghammer circles away and keeps his distance.
Jallu cracks the inside of Stronghammer's front leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stronghammer clinches up with Jallu and pushes him back against the cage.
Jallu wants to stall.
Jallu pushes Stronghammer back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stronghammer goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jallu scores with a shoulder strike.
Stronghammer's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short uppercut from Stronghammer.
Stronghammer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Stronghammer manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Stronghammer blocks an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stronghammer blocks a body shot from Jallu.
Stronghammer is looking for a takedown.
Stronghammer blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Juntti Jallu will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stronghammer clinches.
Stronghammer is looking to break free of the clinch but Jallu has double underhooks.
Jallu is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Stronghammer is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Jallu keeps control of Stronghammer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Stronghammer looking to slow down the pace here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stronghammer is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jallu pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Jallu wants to stall.
A short uppercut from Stronghammer.
Jallu has Stronghammer pressed against the cage, preventing Stronghammer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stronghammer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jallu is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Stronghammer drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Jallu gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stronghammer has Jallu pushed against the cage.

Stronghammer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Stronghammer fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Jallu to the ground. Stronghammer is now in Jallu's guard.
Stronghammer 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.
Jallu controls Stronghammer momentarily but Stronghammer frees himself.
Stronghammer postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

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

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Merrimack Stronghammer wasn't active enough on the ground.

Stronghammer closes the distance and clinches.
Stronghammer is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Jallu to keep the fight standing.
Juntti Jallu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Merrimack Stronghammer.

Stronghammer gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Jallu regains guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stronghammer sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jallu controls Stronghammer momentarily but Stronghammer frees himself.
Jallu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Stronghammer fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Jallu avoids it really well and circles away.
Jallu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Stronghammer closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Jallu quickly recovers to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stronghammer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Jallu keeps working.
Still in half guard, Stronghammer seems content to control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Stronghammer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Stronghammer looks to land a strike but Jallu avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stronghammer trying to stand up but can't free himself from Jallu's guard.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Merrimack Stronghammer hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Stronghammer gets a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merrimack Stronghammer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Jallu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nice body kick there by Stronghammer.
Stronghammer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jallu is fending him off so far but Stronghammer persists. Nope, Jallu circles away and we're back to standing.
Jallu tests Stronghammer's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jallu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Jallu throws a nice looking combination but Stronghammer bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jallu misses with a double jab.
Horrible takedown by Stronghammer or perhaps it was just good defense by Jallu which made him look bad.
Stronghammer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jallu's waist but Jallu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stronghammer off to one side.
Juntti Jallu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Merrimack Stronghammer.

Jallu has closed the distance and engaged Stronghammer in a clinch.
Jallu is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Stronghammer is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Jallu as Stronghammer tries to tie him up.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Jallu tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Stronghammer avoids it.
Stronghammer lands a hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Juntti Jallu has been cut.
Stronghammer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stronghammer trying to control the position but instead, Jallu has worked for underhooks and has pushed Stronghammer into the cage.
Stronghammer misses with a knee strike.
Jallu keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Stronghammer's efforts to push away.
Stronghammer scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stronghammer jumps guard but Jallu stands there with Stronghammer around his waist. Stronghammer gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Stronghammer.
A short uppercut from Stronghammer.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jallu stalling in the clinch but Stronghammer improves position.
Jallu swings wildly with an uppercut but Stronghammer uses good head movement to avoid it.

Stronghammer breaks the clinch.

Stronghammer closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Jallu to the mat! Jallu manages to get full guard.
Stronghammer trying to stand up but can't free himself from Jallu's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jallu controlling Stronghammer's posture.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Stronghammer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Jallu, pushing him back against the cage.
Stronghammer is stalling here.
Stronghammer is looking to control Jallu's arms but Jallu gets an underhook and turns him. Now Stronghammer has his back to the cage.
Jallu misses with a body punch.
Jallu misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stronghammer digs a right hand into Jallu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Jallu's gas tank.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jallu is stalling here.
Jallu looking to stall.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Jallu lands a hook that snaps the head of Stronghammer backwards.
Jallu tries to land knees in the clinch but Stronghammer avoids the damage to the body.
Stronghammer is trying to drag Jallu to the mat but Jallu just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Stronghammer tries for a takedown. No joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jallu tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Jallu looking to slow down the pace here.
Jallu blocks an elbow strike from Stronghammer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Merrimack Stronghammer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Stronghammer 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Merrimack Stronghammer!
Merrimack Stronghammer spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.