PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pentti Hirvonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and KJ Talley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Hirvonen
vs
Talley

185 cm
40
196 lbs
42 - 19 - 0

186 cm
33
191 lbs
20 - 7 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Conquer
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 42 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pentti Hirvonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, KJ Talley!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Ian Loll and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The crowd cheers as Hirvonen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Talley doesn't seem phased though.
Hirvonen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Hirvonen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Talley to the mat! Talley manages to get full guard.
Talley can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hirvonen controls the pace.
Talley controlling Hirvonen's posture.

Talley is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hirvonen defends well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirvonen postures up in Talley's guard and throws a big left but Talley blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvonen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Talley not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hirvonen wants to control from the top but Talley keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hirvonen ducks under a wild hook from Talley.
Hirvonen misses with a wild body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Talley! But no joy.
Talley missing with a left hand there. Hirvonen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hirvonen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Talley connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Talley misses with a hook. Hirvonen ducked under it nicely.
Talley takes a swing at Hirvonen's ribcage but misses.
Talley tried to score with a low kick but Hirvonen checks it.
Hirvonen is looking to counter punch.
Hirvonen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Talley checks it well.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hirvonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A left and a right from Hirvonen both land. Nice combination.
We've been hearing reports that Hirvonen has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
The fighters circling - Talley throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hirvonen throwing a counter right hand but Talley manages to avoid it.
Hirvonen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hirvonen's corner calls for a 1-2. Hirvonen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
KJ Talley is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Talley connects with a right hand. Hirvonen shakes it off.
Talley takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Hirvonen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Talley has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Talley being controlled for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen working away.
Talley regains half guard.
Hirvonen trying to pass the guard but Talley defending well.
Hirvonen is taking a breather. Talley says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

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.
Talley trying to control here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hirvonen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hirvonen is defended easily by Talley.
It seemed like Talley was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hirvonen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Talley did well to prevent Hirvonen getting side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pentti Hirvonen dominated that round.
That's time! Hirvonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Hirvonen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Some bone on bone action there as Hirvonen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Talley swings for the body but Hirvonen moves out of range.
Hirvonen shoots in for a double leg but Talley sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As Hirvonen backs off Talley throws a huge counter combo but Hirvonen manages to avoid it all.
Talley looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Talley throws a leg kick that misses.
Nice defenses there by Hirvonen.
Talley throws a right hand that misses

so Hirvonen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Hirvonen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Talley has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hirvonen has managed to get both his arms back between Talley's legs - danger averted.
Hirvonen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Talley has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hirvonen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Talley is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hirvonen is aware though and is defending well.
Talley is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Talley might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hirvonen haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hirvonen is stalling in the full guard.

Talley working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hirvonen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hirvonen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Talley utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A slow jab from Talley misses its intended target.
Talley misses with a straight right.
Hirvonen misses with a low kick.
Talley throws an off balance right hand

and Hirvonen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Talley won't be happy with that.
Hirvonen throws an elbow but Talley slips to the side and avoids it well.
Hirvonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Talley keeps working.
Hirvonen lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Talley down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen gets to mount! Talley was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Talley is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hirvonen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hirvonen tries to control but Talley wriggling away.
Talley regains half guard.
Talley is staying active underneath Hirvonen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen is thwarting Talley's attempts to control the position.
Hirvonen is controlling the pace.
Hirvonen is trying to control. Talley wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hirvonen not doing much here.
Hirvonen trying to control from half guard but Talley is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pentti Hirvonen dominated that second round.
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!

Talley throws a right hand that Hirvonen ducks under and follows up with a left that Hirvonen also avoids with ease.
Hirvonen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Talley can do to turn this around?
Hirvonen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Talley checks a leg kick.
Talley misses with a kick to the body

and Hirvonen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hirvonen.

Talley is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Hirvonen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Hirvonen seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Talley for as long as he can get away with.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirvonen trying to control but Talley is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Talley looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hirvonen passes into half guard.
Hirvonen slips a nice elbow through Talley's hands, connecting with Talley's forehead.
Talley has his hands clasped together around Hirvonen's back. He's all about the action.
Talley is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Talley is staying active underneath Hirvonen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

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.

Talley actively working from the bottom here.
Hirvonen controlling the pace.
Pentti Hirvonen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Talley is looking to get back to full guard here but Hirvonen has managed to pass to side control instead.
Talley being controlled for a moment.
Hirvonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Talley keeps working.
KJ Talley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen happy to just control the position for now.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A jab from Hirvonen misses.
Hirvonen takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Talley throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Talley scores with a jab.
Talley wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
KJ Talley seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hirvonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Talley scores with a jab to the jaw.
Pentti Hirvonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Talley waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hirvonen.
Hirvonen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hirvonen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Talley is fending him off so far but Hirvonen persists. Nope, Talley circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hirvonen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Talley makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Talley.
Hirvonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Talley is keeping the position for now.
Talley pulls Hirvonen in close to prevent any damage.

Talley has his foot on Hirvonen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hirvonen works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hirvonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Talley is retaining full guard.
Talley wants to control but Hirvonen passes easily into half guard.
Hirvonen looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

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 Pentti Hirvonen.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hirvonen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pentti Hirvonen!
A victorious Pentti Hirvonen thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.