PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arttu Mahtisaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Day Man (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man has chosen Day Man Remix as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mahtisaari
vs
Man

178 cm
27
195 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

190 cm
27
197 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

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 11 - 7 - 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 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Day Man!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Alyssa Summers and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahtisaari takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Man throws a hook to the side of Mahtisaari's head but Mahtisaari sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Man throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Mahtisaari counter with a right hand.
Mahtisaari bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Man's head backwards.
Man connects with a body shot.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Man has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Mahtisaari slips a straight right by Man.
Man throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Man throws a hook to the side of Mahtisaari's head but Mahtisaari sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mahtisaari lands a jab to the nose.
Mahtisaari looks to land a left hand but Man moved out of range nicely.
Man blocks a jab.
Mahtisaari thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice defenses there by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Man manages to avoid it.
Man moves forwards but Mahtisaari connects with a nice, crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mahtisaari misses with a left hand
enabling Man to counter with a crisp jab.
Mahtisaari stuffs the takedown.
Mahtisaari throws a hook but Man avoids it easily.
Mahtisaari swats away the attempt to clinch by Man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Man drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Man misses with a straight right.
Mahtisaari misses with a straight right.
Mahtisaari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Man manages to avoid it.
Mahtisaari lands a lovely overhand right.
Mahtisaari throws a hook to the side of Man's head but Man sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Mahtisaari tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Man was well out of range. Poor timing from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Mahtisaari throws a lazy uppercut
and Man counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mahtisaari thinking.
Mahtisaari tries to clinch up.
Man defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari slips under a jab.
Mahtisaari is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A big left from Man misses.
Man throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mahtisaari looks to land a right hand but Man moved out of range.
Man looks to land a right hand but Mahtisaari moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari connects with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mahtisaari lands a lovely overhand right.
Man walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Man misses with a few strikes there.
Mahtisaari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Man sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mahtisaari throws a big shot that misses.
Man leaves Mahtisaari with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Man connects with a crisp jab.
Man just misses with a punch to the body.
Man tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mahtisaari swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mahtisaari misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Man.
Mahtisaari takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Man throws a hook but Mahtisaari blocks it.
Mahtisaari has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arttu Mahtisaari. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sloppy strikes from Mahtisaari. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mahtisaari clobbers Man with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mahtisaari takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Man misses with a hook
and Mahtisaari counters with a nice uppercut.
Man throws an overhand right that lands on Mahtisaari's shoulder, as Mahtisaari tries to avoid the shot.
Mahtisaari ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Man moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Man fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mahtisaari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mahtisaari misses with some punches.
Man is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
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.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Mahtisaari on the inside.
Mahtisaari misses with a body punch.
Man lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head punch on the inside from Mahtisaari fails to land.
Man misses with some punches.
A short right from Mahtisaari on the inside.
Man tries to throw a body punch but Mahtisaari avoids it by throwing Man back against the cage.
Man blocks a body shot from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari misses with a punch to the body.
Mahtisaari scores with a shoulder strike.
Man has a couple of punches blocked by Mahtisaari.
Man blocks an uppercut.
Man lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mahtisaari backwards.
Man is working Mahtisaari over against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Man fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Man fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arttu Mahtisaari dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Man uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari scores with a nice head shot.
Mahtisaari throws a right and a left that both miss.
Mahtisaari throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Arttu Mahtisaari is winning the standup battle so far.
Mahtisaari throws a right hand that Man ducks under and follows up with a left that Man also avoids with ease.
Man shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mahtisaari lands a nice hook to Man's body. Man takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mahtisaari. Man does a little dance to reset his feet.
Man moves away from the strike by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari takes one to the chin there.
Mahtisaari jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Man looks to throw the jab but Mahtisaari is out of range.
Mahtisaari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Man manages to avoid it.
Mahtisaari throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Man closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Mahtisaari's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Man trying to control but Mahtisaari is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari wants to sweep but no luck.
Man throws a strike but Mahtisaari rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mahtisaari is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Man can do to turn this around?
Mahtisaari controls from within his opponent's guard.
Mahtisaari prevents Man from getting back to his feet.
Mahtisaari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mahtisaari throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Mahtisaari drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Man manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Mahtisaari has Man in his guard.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Mahtisaari is on top in guard.

Man utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mahtisaari looking to pass the guard.
Mahtisaari is fighting to break Man's control of his arms but Man is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Mahtisaari trying to control but Man is working from the bottom.
Man has control of Mahtisaari's left arm, preventing Mahtisaari from doing any damage.
Mahtisaari is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Man on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mahtisaari throws a predictable looking body shot
and Man connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Man throws a lazy uppercut
and Mahtisaari counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Man displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mahtisaari throws out the jab.
Mahtisaari misses with a body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mahtisaari, as that shot connected.
Mahtisaari throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mahtisaari moves out of range of the strikes.
Man misses with a straight right.
Man throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Man takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Man's jab looks to have found its range, popping Mahtisaari under the eye.
Man slips a straight right by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari misses the shot to the body.
Mahtisaari ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Man moves away.
Man avoids the body shot from Mahtisaari.
Man throws a looping overhand right but Mahtisaari ducks down to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arttu Mahtisaari dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Mahtisaari slips under a jab from Man.
Man with a hook.
Man throws a body punch but Mahtisaari moves out of range.
Man scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mahtisaari tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Man was well out of range. Poor timing from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Man darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Man slips under a jab from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Man as he jumps to the side.
Mahtisaari throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahtisaari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Man manages to avoid it.
Man stuffs the takedown attempt from Mahtisaari. Mahtisaari gets slowly back to his feet.
Mahtisaari staying out of range there.
Mahtisaari shoots in and drives through. Man sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arttu Mahtisaari. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Man misses with a hook to the body

and Mahtisaari counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mahtisaari.
Man wants to stand but Mahtisaari is controlling the position.
Mahtisaari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mahtisaari loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Man looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Arttu Mahtisaari overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Mahtisaari working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mahtisaari postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Mahtisaari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Man is keeping the position for now.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Day Man has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari stands and throws Man's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Man tries to improve position but can't.
Mahtisaari wants to control but Man is keeping him busy.
Mahtisaari has control of an arm but Man manages to advance to Mahtisaari's back!
Man throwing damaging strikes from the back! Mahtisaari could be in trouble here!
Man controlling well, preventing Mahtisaari from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari just trying to survive but Man is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
A lull in the action here.
Man biding his time, controlling Mahtisaari.
Man missing with strikes.
Man controlling well, preventing Mahtisaari from escaping the position.
Arttu Mahtisaari is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Man punches the canvas rather than the man.
Mahtisaari might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Man misses with a punch to the head.
Man punches the canvas rather than the man.
Mahtisaari tries to roll but Man sticks to his back.
Man throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Even with his hooks in, Man manages to miss with strikes from the back.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Man has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Man is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Mahtisaari defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

And that's the end of the fight!
Day Man comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Mahtisaari has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roberts scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arttu Mahtisaari!
During a confident post fight interview, Arttu Mahtisaari thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.