PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Holy Diver (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diver comes to the cage accompanied by Holy Diver by Dio. Johannes Maanpohja has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Diver
vs
Maanpohja

161 cm
30
174 lbs
16 - 18 - 0

171 cm
28
173 lbs
9 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Experienced

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Holy Diver!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maanpohja shoots in but no luck this time.
Diver changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Maanpohja closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Maanpohja is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Diver has escaped the position, nice work there.
Maanpohja moves into full mount!
Maanpohja takes Diver's back.
Diver tries to escape the position.
Well, with Maanpohja on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Diver is tapping out... Can he escape the position?

Maanpohja is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Diver knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Diver for a finish.
Maanpohja missing with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diver is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

Maanpohja working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Diver trying to control the position but Maanpohja manages to sink in the hooks.
My spies in Nordic Top Team inform me that Maanpohja has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Diver tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Diver prevents Maanpohja from taking his back.
Diver tries to hold on but Maanpohja postures up.

Maanpohja goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Diver is on top in guard.

Maanpohja has his foot on Diver's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Diver works his way back into a safe position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Maanpohja working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Diver doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Diver manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Diver sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Diver working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Maanpohja's head.

Maanpohja has his foot on Diver's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Diver works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diver trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Maanpohja working for a triangle but Diver defends it easily.
Diver is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Diver accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Maanpohja looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Diver scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diver cracks Maanpohja with a solid left hand.

Maanpohja is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Diver defends well.
Diver is looking to work some ground and pound but Maanpohja has wrist control.
Diver wants to control from the top but Maanpohja keeps moving.
Maanpohja has momentary wrist control but Diver slips an elbow through the middle.

Maanpohja has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Diver should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Maanpohja has tightened it up now! Diver should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Johannes Maanpohja!
In his post fight interview, Johannes Maanpohja started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.