PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ian Odonnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Serge DjambaShango (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Serge DjambaShango will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Odonnell
vs
DjambaShango

203 cm
18
151 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

177 cm
19
154 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ian Odonnell!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Serge DjambaShango!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

DjambaShango closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Odonnell tries to pull guard but DjambaShango holds him up against the cage and eventually Odonnell drops back down to his feet.
A bit of stalling here from DjambaShango.
Odonnell jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as DjambaShango walks away with a smile on his face. Odonnell gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
DjambaShango scoring well with a low kick there.
Serge DjambaShango seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
DjambaShango scores with a nice body kick.
DjambaShango tries to clinch but Odonnell moves out of range.
Odonnell really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Odonnell tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Odonnell closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Odonnell lands in his opponent's guard.
DjambaShango utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
DjambaShango keeping moving, preventing Odonnell from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DjambaShango is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
DjambaShango is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Odonnell showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Odonnell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Odonnell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Odonnell won't allow DjambaShango to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

DjambaShango clinches up against the cage.
DjambaShango can't find room to land a body shot as Odonnell controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Odonnell looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Odonnell. That's going to take a lot out of him.
DjambaShango avoiding damage.

Odonnell manages to pull guard.
DjambaShango throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Odonnell has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Odonnell seems keen to control DjambaShango's posture.
Odonnell manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. DjambaShango manages to get himself to full guard.

DjambaShango wants to stand and escape but Odonnell is having none of it.
Odonnell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Odonnell with a flurry of punches that miss.
Odonnell wants to control from the top but DjambaShango keeps moving.
Odonnell is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
DjambaShango wants to stand and escape but Odonnell is having none of it.
Odonnell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Odonnell trying to control but DjambaShango is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
DjambaShango looks to land a body kick but Odonnell moved away.

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.
DjambaShango keeps the fight on the outside.
DjambaShango throws a chopping leg kick but Odonnell manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
DjambaShango is looking to clinch.
DjambaShango fails with an attempt to clinch.
Odonnell is looking for a counter combo.

Odonnell closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Odonnell lands in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Odonnell accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
DjambaShango is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
DjambaShango keeping moving, preventing Odonnell from controlling successfully.
Odonnell throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
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 Ian Odonnell will probably get the nod.
That's time! Odonnell's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

DjambaShango misses with a kick to the body.
DjambaShango throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
DjambaShango tries to close the distance and clinch but Odonnell swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
DjambaShango is looking to clinch but Odonnell is avoiding it.
DjambaShango throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Odonnell went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
DjambaShango throws a combination that misses

and Odonnell counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Odonnell makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
DjambaShango working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Odonnell.
Odonnell 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DjambaShango keeping moving, preventing Odonnell from controlling successfully.
Odonnell postures up in DjambaShango's guard and throws a big left but DjambaShango blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
DjambaShango is trying to keep Odonnell in close.
Odonnell working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Odonnell is looking to work some ground and pound but DjambaShango has wrist control.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Odonnell is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that DjambaShango can do to turn this around?
A head kick misses from DjambaShango.
Odonnell moves out of range of the body kick from DjambaShango.
DjambaShango is breathing heavily.
A thudding body kick lands there by DjambaShango!
DjambaShango throws a lazy head kick
and Odonnell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
The fight stays on the outside here - DjambaShango looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
As DjambaShango tries to get set, Odonnell tries to push him back and clinch up but DjambaShango manages to avoid the attempt.
DjambaShango misses the body punch
and Odonnell counters with a three punch combo that has DjambaShango backing up. DjambaShango nods at Odonnell to acknowledge the strikes.
DjambaShango throws a series of punches but Odonnell avoids them all with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DjambaShango misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A lazy body kick from DjambaShango

so Odonnell counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Odonnell distracts DjambaShango with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Odonnell thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Odonnell stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. DjambaShango swivels though and keeps the full guard.
DjambaShango has momentary wrist control but Odonnell slips an elbow through the middle.
Odonnell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as DjambaShango works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
DjambaShango wants to stand but Odonnell is controlling the position.
Odonnell controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've been informed that DjambaShango has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Odonnell scoring with punches to the head and body.
Odonnell trying to control but DjambaShango is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Serge DjambaShango is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from DjambaShango.
Odonnell seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Odonnell looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for DjambaShango!
Odonnell sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but DjambaShango is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Odonnell creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DjambaShango is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
An elbow from Odonnell crashes against the mat.
Odonnell lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear DjambaShango down.
Odonnell in side control lands a decent elbow.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Odonnell decides to stand up, so the ref orders DjambaShango to his feet.
Odonnell looks for a takedown but DjambaShango sprawls well.

Odonnell manages to get an easy takedown there - catching DjambaShango on his heels. He'll look to pass DjambaShango's guard now, I'm sure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Odonnell dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Odonnell scores with a takedown into DjambaShango's guard.
Odonnell with a nice head shot there.
Odonnell pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. DjambaShango is keeping the position for now.
DjambaShango wants to stand but Odonnell is controlling the position.
Ian Odonnell overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Odonnell trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
DjambaShango working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Odonnell.
Odonnell postures up in DjambaShango's guard and throws a big left but DjambaShango blocks it.
Odonnell 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.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Odonnell throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as DjambaShango works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
DjambaShango takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Odonnell shoots in looking for a takedown. DjambaShango tries to sprawl out of it but Odonnell keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. DjambaShango manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
DjambaShango pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Odonnell shoots for a double leg takedown but DjambaShango sprawls well. He's pushed Odonnell's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Odonnell takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
DjambaShango scores with a kick to the body.
DjambaShango misses with a head kick.
Odonnell appears to be looking for a big counter.
DjambaShango wants to clinch up but Odonnell keeps it at a distance.
Odonnell misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ian Odonnell. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Odonnell shoots for a double leg takedown but DjambaShango sprawls well. He's pushed Odonnell's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ian Odonnell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Odonnell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Odonnell half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Odonnell tries to score a power double leg takedown but DjambaShango sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Odonnell somewhat.
DjambaShango is looking for the big counter here.
Odonnell moves in looking to clinch but DjambaShango pushes him off.

Odonnell shoots in and gets a takedown into DjambaShango's guard.
Odonnell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Odonnell wants to control from the top but DjambaShango keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Odonnell missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Odonnell postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Odonnell is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! DjambaShango is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! DjambaShango has escaped and now he's on top!

Odonnell keeping moving, preventing DjambaShango from controlling successfully.
Odonnell looking to hit a scissor sweep but DjambaShango is one step ahead there.

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.
DjambaShango won't allow Odonnell to get back to his feet.
Serge DjambaShango has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

DjambaShango stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Odonnell closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. DjambaShango did well to prevent Odonnell getting side control.
Odonnell stops DjambaShango from getting back to his feet.
Odonnell is looking to advance position but DjambaShango won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
DjambaShango is doing well to control the position and prevent Odonnell from advancing to side control.
Ian Odonnell is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Odonnell not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

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 Ian Odonnell.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Odonnell, 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ian Odonnell!