PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Darren Lockyer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arttu Mahtisaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lockyer
vs
Mahtisaari

189 cm
33
194 lbs
19 - 8 - 0

178 cm
28
195 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 19 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Darren Lockyer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arttu Mahtisaari!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Lou da Vinci and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahtisaari chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Lockyer can pounce on him.
Lockyer throws a body punch but Mahtisaari moves out of range.
Lockyer tries to bum rush Mahtisaari with a series of wild strikes but Mahtisaari uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lockyer thuds his right hand into Mahtisaari's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Lockyer fails in his attempt to clinch.
A jab from Mahtisaari misses.
Mahtisaari throws a hook but Lockyer blocks it.
Mahtisaari blocks a jab.
Lockyer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mahtisaari sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mahtisaari scores with a jab to the body.

Mahtisaari ducks straight into an uppercut from Lockyer and tumbles to the canvas! It’s a flash knockdown though - Mahtisaari manages to regain guard straight away.

Mahtisaari is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lockyer throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mahtisaari works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Mahtisaari is still in real trouble! Can Lockyer finish him?
Lockyer postures up in Mahtisaari's guard and throws a big left but Mahtisaari blocks it.
Lockyer wants to stand but Mahtisaari is controlling his posture from full guard.
Mahtisaari is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Mahtisaari seems to have recovered his senses.
Lockyer tries to kick Mahtisaari off but Mahtisaari keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Mahtisaari is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Mahtisaari is continuing to stall.
Mahtisaari trying to control the action but Lockyer is working from the bottom.
Mahtisaari thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lockyer is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Hey Steves Fight Shack that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Mahtisaari takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mahtisaari is trying to control the action in half guard but Lockyer is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two 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.
Lockyer won't allow Mahtisaari to pass to mount.
Lockyer is not content to let Mahtisaari control the position.
Mahtisaari is controlling the pace.
Let's hope that Mahtisaari has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Mahtisaari passes to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lockyer's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Mahtisaari content just to control the position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mahtisaari tries to control but Lockyer wriggling away.
Mahtisaari punching from mount but Lockyer doing a good job of avoiding damage.

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.
Lockyer is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Mahtisaari scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Mahtisaari tries to control but Lockyer wriggling away.
Lockyer is trying to stand up.
Lockyer wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Mahtisaari.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mahtisaari controlling his opponent.
Mahtisaari throws some wild stikes that Lockyer manages to avoid easily.
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 Darren Lockyer will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lockyer throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mahtisaari connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Mahtisaari takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Mahtisaari thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mahtisaari lands with an overhand left.
A jab from Lockyer misses.
Mahtisaari wants to counter with a clinch but Lockyer pushes him away.
Mahtisaari walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Mahtisaari jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Lockyer takes a swing at Mahtisaari's ribcage but misses.
Lockyer misses with a wild combination.
Lockyer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mahtisaari misses with a hook. Lockyer ducked under it nicely.
Lockyer throws a body shot but no joy.
Lockyer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mahtisaari throws out the jab.
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!
Lockyer misses with a straight right.
Lockyer wants to land a leg kick but Mahtisaari is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Lockyer misses.
Darren Lockyer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some bone on bone action there as Mahtisaari checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Lockyer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mahtisaari has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Sloppy strikes from Lockyer. Those never looked like landing.
Mahtisaari lands with a nice body punch.
Mahtisaari connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Lockyer misses with a body shot.
Lockyer just misses with a punch to the body.
Mahtisaari wants to counter the offense by Lockyer and move into the clinch position.
Lockyer throws a body shot but no joy.
Lockyer throws a series of punches but Mahtisaari moves out of range.
Lockyer looks to land a left hand but Mahtisaari moved out of range nicely.
Lockyer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A cross from Mahtisaari lands.
Lockyer misses the body punch

and Mahtisaari moves into the clinch.
Mahtisaari makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mahtisaari lands with a left to the head.
Lockyer softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lockyer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mahtisaari has him pressed against the cage.
A short left from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari lands a right hand that snaps the head of Lockyer backwards.
Mahtisaari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mahtisaari misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mahtisaari is leaning against Lockyer and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Lockyer tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Lockyer lands with a light punch inside.
Lockyer lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mahtisaari tries to work over Lockyer's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Lockyer tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Mahtisaari gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Lockyer regains guard.
Mahtisaari is looking to work some ground and pound but Lockyer has wrist control.
Mahtisaari wants to pass the guard but Lockyer is keeping the position.
Arttu Mahtisaari has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mahtisaari 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari trying to control the position from guard on top but Lockyer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lockyer is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lockyer wants to stand and escape but Mahtisaari is having none of it.
Mahtisaari trying to control the position from guard on top but Lockyer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Lockyer throws a hook but Mahtisaari avoids it easily.
Darren Lockyer is winning the standup battle so far.

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.
Mahtisaari lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lockyer at a distance.
Lockyer staying out of range there.
Lockyer takes one to the side of the head.
Lockyer misses the jab.
Lockyer scores with a jab to the head.
Lockyer slips under a jab from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari moves forwards but Lockyer connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Decent striking displayed by Lockyer there.
Mahtisaari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lockyer fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mahtisaari has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Lockyer throws the kick towards the body but Mahtisaari avoids it.
Lockyer walks into a left hand.
Lockyer throws out a loose jab but Mahtisaari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Lockyer, right into the meat.
A slow jab from Lockyer misses its intended target.
Lockyer takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Darren Lockyer will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Lockyer's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Mahtisaari connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Lockyer scrambles back to his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Lockyer misses the target.
Mahtisaari steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Lockyer.
Lockyer misses with a body shot.
Lockyer on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Lockyer just misses with a punch to the body.
Mahtisaari moves away from the strike by Lockyer.
Mahtisaari connects with a body shot.
Lockyer displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mahtisaari throws out the jab.
Nice body punch from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari scores with a nice strike.
Mahtisaari lands a nice hook to Lockyer's body. Lockyer takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mahtisaari is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Lockyer ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mahtisaari moves away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mahtisaari throws out a powerful jab.
Mahtisaari slips a straight right by Lockyer.
Mahtisaari lands an overhand right.
Mahtisaari blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari cracks Lockyer with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Lockyer tries to clinch but Mahtisaari moves out of range.
Mahtisaari ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mahtisaari wants to counter with a clinch but Lockyer pushes him away.
Mahtisaari throws a hook to the side of Lockyer's head but Lockyer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lockyer looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mahtisaari tries to counter with a clinch but Lockyer shakes him off and moves away.
Lockyer slips a straight right by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Lockyer throws out a loose jab but Mahtisaari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mahtisaari lands with a shot to the body.
Mahtisaari avoids a punch combination nicely.

Lockyer closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Mahtisaari fails to land.
Lockyer is trying to break the clinch but Mahtisaari is controlling him.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mahtisaari.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lockyer can't find room to land a body shot as Mahtisaari controls the action.
Mahtisaari scores with a shoulder strike.
Mahtisaari misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mahtisaari digs a right hand into Lockyer's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lockyer's gas tank.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mahtisaari stalling in the clinch but Lockyer improves position.
Lockyer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Mahtisaari lands a nice uppercut.
Lockyer wants to break free but Mahtisaari has control.
Lockyer with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Lockyer's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Lockyer is looking to score with low kicks.
Lockyer throws a right and a left that both miss.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lockyer misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Lockyer can't break the clinch.
Mahtisaari working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lockyer wants to break the clinch but can't.
Mahtisaari misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mahtisaari blocking some punches.
Lockyer wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mahtisaari has him pressed against the cage.
Lockyer is trying to break free.
Mahtisaari doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Arttu Mahtisaari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mahtisaari controlling the action here for a moment.
Mahtisaari lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mahtisaari doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mahtisaari on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Lockyer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mahtisaari thuds a left hand into Lockyer's body.
Mahtisaari slips a straight right by Lockyer.
Mahtisaari keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lockyer.
Mahtisaari tries to clinch but Lockyer moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mahtisaari connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Mahtisaari displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lockyer throws out the jab.
Mahtisaari tries to counter with a clinch but Lockyer shakes him off and moves away.
Lockyer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Mahtisaari jabs Lockyer to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mahtisaari cracks Lockyer with a right hand to the side of the head.
Darren Lockyer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mahtisaari looks to score with a jab to the body but Lockyer is just out of range.
A big right from Mahtisaari misses.
Lockyer throws a hook but Mahtisaari avoids it easily.
Mahtisaari jabs at Lockyer's body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lockyer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mahtisaari lands a jab-cross combination.
Lockyer digs a good hook to Mahtisaari's body.
Mahtisaari comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Lockyer takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Lockyer clinches up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arttu Mahtisaari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lockyer 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 29:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:30
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!