PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arttu Mahtisaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Orion Cook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Mahtisaari
vs
Cook

178 cm
27
195 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

184 cm
43
197 lbs
24 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

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 13 - 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 24 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Orion Cook!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Joseph Jones and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahtisaari tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cook was well out of range. Poor timing from Mahtisaari.
Cook swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cook displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mahtisaari throws out the jab.
Mahtisaari has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Nordic Top Team in the buildup to the fight.
Arttu Mahtisaari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mahtisaari swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mahtisaari throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cook stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cook looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mahtisaari ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Cook moves away.
A decent looking cross lands there for Mahtisaari.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahtisaari cracks Cook with a right hand to the side of the head.
Mahtisaari throws a jab but it's blocked by Cook.
Cook is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Cook walks into a straight right hand from Mahtisaari.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari connects with a looping right hand.
Mahtisaari lands a nice shot to the body.
Mahtisaari lands with a hook. Cook tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Cook doesn't manage to clinch there - Mahtisaari circles away.
Cook walks into a straight right hand from Mahtisaari.
Cook moves out of range as Mahtisaari strikes.
Mahtisaari just misses with a punch to the body.
Cook tries to counter with a clinch but Mahtisaari shakes him off and moves away.
Mahtisaari lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Cook avoids the body shot from Mahtisaari.
Cook wants to counter with a clinch but Mahtisaari pushes him away.
Mahtisaari tests Cook's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mahtisaari looks to land a left hand but Cook moved out of range nicely.
Cook drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Mahtisaari defends it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cook sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cook swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Mahtisaari throws a jab but it's blocked by Cook.
Cook wants to counter with a clinch but Mahtisaari pushes him away.
Arttu Mahtisaari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cook throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Mahtisaari stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
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!
A swing and a miss from Mahtisaari.
As Mahtisaari backs off Cook throws a huge counter combo but Mahtisaari manages to avoid it all.
Mahtisaari misses the shot to the body.
Mahtisaari misses with a straight left.
Cook wants to clinch.
Mahtisaari tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cook was well out of range. Poor timing from Mahtisaari.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari looks to throw the jab but Cook is out of range.
Mahtisaari sets himself, and Cook steps forward looking for the clinch! Mahtisaari avoids it this time.
Cook will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mahtisaari throws a body shot but no joy.
Cook moves out of range of the strikes.
Cook tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A combination from Mahtisaari does no damage.
Mahtisaari sets himself, and Cook steps forward looking for the clinch! Mahtisaari avoids it this time.
Cook moves out of range of the strikes.
Cook ducks under a wild hook from Mahtisaari.
Cook wants to counter the offense by Mahtisaari and move into the clinch position.
Mahtisaari swings for the body but Cook moves out of range.
Cook steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Mahtisaari.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mahtisaari. Cook does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cook tries to counter by closing the distance.
Mahtisaari misses the shot to the body.
Mahtisaari cracks Cook with an open hand slap.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mahtisaari gets a clinch.
Mahtisaari misses with a punch to the body.
Cook is trying to drag Mahtisaari to the mat but Mahtisaari just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mahtisaari prevents the takedown attempt.
Arttu Mahtisaari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Orion Cook.
Mahtisaari lands a nice shot to the body.
Cook is looking to take this one to the mat.
Cook drops down looking for an ankle pick but Mahtisaari pulls his leg out and moves away.
Mahtisaari stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Mahtisaari wants it to stay on the feet.
A counter left hand to the body from Mahtisaari misses its target.
Mahtisaari changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cook staying out of range there.
Mahtisaari sets himself, and Cook steps forward looking for the clinch! Mahtisaari avoids it this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mahtisaari misses with an uppercut
letting Cook counter with a right hand.
Cook fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arttu Mahtisaari dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cook keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cook wants to clinch.
Cook moves out of range of the strikes.
Cook steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari lands with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahtisaari sizes up Cook with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mahtisaari ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mahtisaari misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Cook.
Cook let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Mahtisaari misses the shot to the body.
And Cook tries to counter it with a takedown but Mahtisaari pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mahtisaari is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cook can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mahtisaari forces Cook back against the cage and clinches.
Cook is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Mahtisaari pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Cook goes for a takedown attempt but Mahtisaari pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Mahtisaari moves out of range of the strikes.
Arttu Mahtisaari is winning the standup battle so far.
A punch lands to the side of Cook 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Mahtisaari gets a clinch.
Mahtisaari misses with a punch to the body.
Cook drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Arttu Mahtisaari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Orion Cook.
Cook wants a takedown but no success here.
Cook wants a takedown.
A nice right hand lands inside from Cook.
Cook jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mahtisaari walks away with a smile on his face. Cook gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cook takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mahtisaari throws a body shot but no joy.
Mahtisaari throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cook tries to counter with a clinch but Mahtisaari shakes him off and moves away.
Cook avoids the body shot from Mahtisaari.
Cook shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mahtisaari sprawls well. Mahtisaari wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Cook gets slowly back to his feet.
Donk. Mahtisaari catches Cook right on the button with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari thuds his right hand into Cook's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mahtisaari throws a big shot that misses.
Mahtisaari scores with a jab.
Mahtisaari lands a head shot.
Cook uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mahtisaari.
Cook throws out a counter right but Mahtisaari avoids it with no problem.
Cook looks for a takedown but Mahtisaari sprawls well.
Mahtisaari dips to his left and cracks Cook with an uppercut!
The fighters circle momentarily. Mahtisaari darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Mahtisaari lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Cook was well out of range. Poor timing from Mahtisaari.
Cook changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mahtisaari lands with an overhand left.
Mahtisaari misses with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mahtisaari waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Cook.
Mahtisaari misses with a straight left.
Cook is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Cook takes one on the button.
Mahtisaari takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mahtisaari cracks Cook with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Mahtisaari swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cook tries to counter with a clinch but Mahtisaari shakes him off and moves away.
Mahtisaari swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
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! This is the final round!

Cook uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari jabs Cook to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nice body punch from Mahtisaari.

Mahtisaari takes the fight into the clinch.
Mahtisaari goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Cook is trying to drag Mahtisaari to the mat but Mahtisaari just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Cook misses with some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahtisaari is pressed up against the cage. Cook has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mahtisaari down to the mat. Mahtisaari avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Mahtisaari throws a good cross that connects.
Cook is trying desperately to land a takedown but Mahtisaari is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Cook.
Mahtisaari cracks Cook with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cook steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Mahtisaari.
Nice defenses there by Cook.
Cook feints the counter takedown.
A jab from Mahtisaari finds it's way through Cook's defenses.
Cook has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mahtisaari circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mahtisaari misses with a straight left.
Cook wants to counter the offense by Mahtisaari and move into the clinch position.
Cook moves out of range of the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cook! But no joy.
Cook ducks right into an uppercut from Mahtisaari.
Cook ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Cook is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mahtisaari just misses with a punch to the body.
Mahtisaari lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Orion Cook has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari misses with a body shot.
Cook tries to counter by closing the distance.
A swing and a miss from Mahtisaari.
Cook is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mahtisaari misses with a looping right.
Cook wants to counter the offense by Mahtisaari and move into the clinch position.
Mahtisaari throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nice defenses there by Cook.
Cook is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Mahtisaari with a body shot.
Orion Cook is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mahtisaari looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mahtisaari throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cook stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cook slips under a jab from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari throws a shot from downtown. Cook moves away and avoids it.
Mahtisaari lands a nice hook to Cook's body. Cook takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cook slips a jab from Mahtisaari.
Cook is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
A big left from Mahtisaari misses.
Mahtisaari lands a body shot.
Cook takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mahtisaari misses the jab.
Cook is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Mahtisaari looks to land a right hand but Cook moved out of range.
Mahtisaari looks to score with a jab to the body but Cook is just out of range.
Cook changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Mahtisaari moves into range and connects with a jab.
Cook swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Mahtisaari lands with an overhand left.
Arttu Mahtisaari is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari connects with a jab.
Cook takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mahtisaari connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cook momentarily.
Mahtisaari works Cook's body with a nice hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cook takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mahtisaari connects with a right hand. Cook shakes it off.
Mahtisaari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Cook sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Cook moves away from the strike by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arttu Mahtisaari showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mahtisaari 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 30:25
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:25
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:25

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.