PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Reiska Pekka Retale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hakan Juholt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Retale comes to the cage accompanied by The Prodigy - Smack My Bitch Up. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pekka Retale
vs
Juholt

169 cm
31
154 lbs
30 - 12 - 0

167 cm
29
135 lbs
12 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

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 30 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Reiska Pekka Retale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Hakan Juholt!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yukihiro Shimada and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Retale changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Juholt connects with an inside leg kick.
Retale tries a head kick but it misses.
Retale blocks a leg kick.
Retale is looking to clinch.
And Juholt tries to counter it with a takedown but Retale pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Retale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Juholt moves away.
Juholt is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Retale tries to clinch up but Juholt circles away and keeps his distance.
Retale swings for the body but Juholt moves out of range.
Juholt is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Juholt throws a leg kick that misses.
Juholt throws a nice outside leg kick.
Juholt misses with a head kick.
Retale misses with a left hand
and Retale takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Retale is looking to clinch but Juholt is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juholt wants to slow Retale down by chopping away at his legs.
Juholt throws a series of punches but Retale avoids them all with ease.
Retale fires out a quick counter leg kick but Juholt just manages to avoid it.
Retale connects with a solid leg kick.
Juholt throws a hook to the side of Retale's head but Retale sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
No joy there for Retale, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retale tries a head kick but it misses.
Juholt slips under a jab from Retale.
And Juholt tries to counter it with a takedown but Retale pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Juholt pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
As Juholt tries to get set, Retale tries to push him back and clinch up but Juholt manages to avoid the attempt.
Juholt pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Retale stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Retale wants it to stay on the feet.
Retale wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Retale feints a jab promting Juholt to slip. Retale then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Juholt slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Hakan Juholt has been cut.
Retale tries a low kick but Juholt avoids it.
Juholt drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Retale defends it well.
Retale lands a nice leg kick that just misses Juholt's sensitive parts.
Retale throws a lazy body kick
and Juholt counters with a nice leg kick.
Retale swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Juholt makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Retale really felt that one!
Good leg kick by Juholt there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Juholt lands a nice leg kick that just misses Retale's sensitive parts.
Juholt drops his hands momentarily and Retale takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
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!
Juholt goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Retale tries to counter by clinching up but Juholt breaks away and moves out of range.
Juholt takes one to the chin there.
Retale throws a jab when Juholt was well out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juholt lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Reiska Pekka Retale has been cut.
Retale wants to slow Juholt down by chopping away at his legs.
Retale cracks Juholt with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Retale lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Juholt ducks under a wild hook from Retale.
Juholt fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Retale has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Retale tries to close the distance and clinch up but Juholt swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Juholt throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Juholt misses with a takedown attempt
and Retale counters with a nice uppercut.
Juholt moves out of range as Retale throws a body kick.
Juholt keeps Retale at a distance using the push kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Retale.
Juholt throws a leg kick but Retale checks it.
Juholt is looking to slow Retale down with leg kicks.
Retale is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juholt lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Juholt pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Juholt misses with a wild body shot.
As Juholt tries to get set, Retale tries to push him back and clinch up but Juholt manages to avoid the attempt.
Juholt looks for the body kick but Retale saw that one coming.
Retale avoids the head kick by Juholt.
Juholt looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Reiska Pekka Retale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hakan Juholt.
Retale fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Juholt has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Juholt throws a head kick but Retale moves out of range.
Retale cracks Juholt with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Juholt throws a low kick but Retale avoids it.
Retale tries to counter by clinching up but Juholt breaks away and moves out of range.
Retale throws a nice looking combination but Juholt bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Juholt misses with a kick to the body.
Juholt moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Juholt - that will leave a mark!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Juholt chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Retale gets caught napping as Juholt dives in and scores a takedown. Retale manages to retain guard.
Juholt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Juholt trying to control the position from guard on top but Retale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Juholt won't allow Retale to sweep him here.
Juholt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Juholt tries to free his leg and advance position but Retale is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hakan Juholt dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Juholt tries to score with a low kick but Retale moves his leg out of the way.
Retale swinging wildly here.
Retale tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Juholt manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Juholt changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Juholt.
Retale works the jab nicely.
Retale throws a body shot but no joy.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Juholt. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Juholt fails with a takedown attempt.
Retale is looking to counter the offense by Juholt and move into the clinch.
Retale's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Retale duly obliges.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juholt throws a half hearted mid kick.
Juholt takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Juholt ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Juholt lands a leg kick that knocks Retale off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Juholt drives through and clinches with Retale against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Retale gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Juholt.

Juholt's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Retale thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Juholt if he has to take too many more of those.
Retale is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Juholt pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Retale on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Retale connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Juholt's hands.
Juholt tries for a takedown but Retale sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Reiska Pekka Retale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hakan Juholt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Retale.
Juholt fails with the takedown.
Hakan Juholt seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Retale looks to clinch

and Juholt counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Retale is trying to maintain the position but Juholt is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juholt wants to pass to mount but Retale is defending the position.
Juholt wants to control but Retale is keeping him busy.
Retale avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Juholt.
Juholt tries to pass to full mount but Retale defends it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Retale manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Juholt wants to control from the top but Retale keeps moving.
Juholt stopping the sweep attempt from Retale.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juholt is stalling in the full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Juholt misses with a looping right.
Decent striking displayed by Juholt there.
Retale lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
It looks like Retale has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Juholt throws a quick inside leg kick.
Retale wants to clinch up but Juholt keeps it at a distance.
Retale scores with a decent looking hook.
Retale throws a front kick that sends Juholt stumbling back into the cage.
Juholt stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Retale.
Retale avoids the head kick by Juholt.
Juholt takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Juholt takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Retale swings for the body but Juholt moves out of range.

Juholt gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Juholt lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Juholt throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Retale blocks it with crossed arms.
Juholt tries to score a body lock takedown but Retale shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Retale misses with the head strike.
Retale blocks an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Juholt scores with a nice short uppercut.
Juholt on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Retale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Juholt misses with a hook to the ribs.

Juholt has Retale pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Juholt pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Retale tumbling to the mat - Juholt dives into Retale's guard.
Retale has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Juholt has passed into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hakan Juholt will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Juholt ducks right into an uppercut from Retale.
Juholt tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Retale swivels and escapes.
Nice defenses there by Juholt.
A left and a right from Juholt both land. Nice combination.
Juholt fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Juholt keeps Retale at a distance using the push kick.
Juholt fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Retale.
Juholt throws a head kick that misses.
Retale will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Juholt fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Retale on the side of the head.
Retale tries to clinch up.
Retale wants to clinch up but Juholt keeps it at a distance.
Juholt drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Retale defends it well.

Retale closes the distance and pushes Juholt back into the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short right from Juholt.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Retale creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retale misses with a short punch on the inside.
Retale pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Juholt doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Retale blocks a body shot from Juholt.
Juholt throws a head punch that misses.
Juholt looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Juholt struggles to land a body shot inside as Retale controls his hands.
Retale is trying to stall.
Retale using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Juholt has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Retale working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Juholt has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Retale seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Juholt can turn it around.
The referee calls for Juholt to work.
Retale misses with a body punch.
Retale connects with a nasty looking knee right to Juholt's face.
Retale scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juholt wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Reiska Pekka Retale has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Retale lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Juholt or not.
Retale tries to stall but Juholt uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Juholt blocking some punches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Retale.
Juholt misses with a hook to the ribs.
Retale keeps control of Juholt as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Juholt blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Retale tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Juholt avoids it.
Juholt softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Juholt's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Retale ducks under a wild hook from Juholt.
Reiska Pekka Retale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
Juholt connects with a crisp jab.
Juholt moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Retale misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Juholt shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Retale but Retale pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Juholt lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Juholt moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Retale closes the distance and pushes Juholt back into the cage.
Juholt misses with a punch on the inside.
Retale will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Retale misses with a punch on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Retale as Juholt tries to tie him up.
Hakan Juholt is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Juholt tries to break free but Retale pushes him back against the cage.
Retale with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Retale looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Retale scores with a shoulder strike.
Retale misses with a hook from the clinch.
Retale trying to control the position but instead, Juholt has worked for underhooks and has pushed Retale into the cage.
Retale taking a breather.
Retale is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Juholt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Juholt makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Juholt working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Retale misses with a hook from the clinch.
Retale cracks Juholt with a nice body shot.
A short left from Retale.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Juholt throws a punch but it's blocked by Retale.
Retale lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Juholt.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Reiska Pekka Retale.
I think Juholt 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Hakan Juholt!