PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brian Fantana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ode Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fantana's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, The Sex Panther Is Out Tonight - Barry White feat. Brian Fantana. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fantana
vs
Jokinen

165 cm
27
144 lbs
16 - 3 - 2

163 cm
27
150 lbs
11 - 6 - 2

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition
Spartan Nutrition

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)
Spartan Nutrition

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 16 - 3 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brian Fantana!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 6 - 2, fighting out of London, Ode Jokinen!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jokinen scores with a leg kick.
Jokinen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fantana is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jokinen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jokinen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fantana at a distance.
Jokinen stuffs the takedown.
Fantana takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Jokinen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A big left from Jokinen misses.
Fantana appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Fantana misses with a wild body shot.
Nice takedown defense from Jokinen. No joy for Fantana on that attempt.
Jokinen throws out a counter right but Fantana avoids it with no problem.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Fantana. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Jokinen takes the fight into the clinch.
Jokinen lands a hook that snaps the head of Fantana backwards.
Fantana prevents a body shot from Jokinen.

Fantana breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jokinen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fantana manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen looks to land a body kick but Fantana moved away.
Fantana tries to counter with a takedown but Jokinen is quick to defend against it.
Fantana misses with a looping left.
Jokinen connects with an inside leg kick.
Jokinen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fantana.
Jokinen throws a body punch but Fantana moves out of range.
Fantana misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jokinen is looking for the big counter here.
Jokinen misses with a hook.
Jokinen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fantana takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Jokinen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Fantana has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Fantana and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Jokinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jokinen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Jokinen slips under a jab.
Jokinen tries to work over Fantana's front leg with a kick but Fantana checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantana throws a shot from downtown. Jokinen moves away and avoids it.
Fantana swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A jab from Jokinen does it's job there.
Jokinen swings for the body but Fantana moves out of range.
Jokinen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ode Jokinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fantana has a takedown stuffed.

Fantana looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Jokinen trying to control the position here.
Fantana trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana postures up and lands a big shot to Jokinen's brow.
Fantana won't allow Jokinen to sweep him here.
Fantana tries to free his leg and advance position but Jokinen is retaining full guard.
Jokinen has Fantana pulled in close to control his posture.
Jokinen can't keep his opponent in guard - Fantana advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Nice strikes from Fantana there.
Fantana scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Fantana is keen to just control but Jokinen is a slippery customer.
Jokinen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jokinen is pressing down on Fantana's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jokinen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Jokinen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fantana's guard.

Jokinen throws an elbow that misses. Fantana uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Jokinen's guard. Nice move by Fantana!

Fantana wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.
Jokinen is controlling Fantana's posture.
Jokinen wants to sweep here but Fantana controlling him for the moment.
Jokinen keeps trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ode Jokinen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fantana shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jokinen as he jumps to the side.
Jokinen throws a shot from downtown. Fantana moves away and avoids it.
Jokinen throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Jokinen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Fantana blocks a head kick by Jokinen.
Jokinen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fantana feinted with a counter takedown.
Jokinen throws a head kick that half lands.
Jokinen wants to slow Fantana down by chopping away at his legs.
Jokinen throws a chopping leg kick but Fantana manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jokinen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jokinen on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana blocks a head kick by Jokinen.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jokinen. Fantana does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fantana lunges at Jokinen with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Jokinen's hand.
Jokinen looks to land a body kick but Fantana moved away.
Jokinen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Fantana is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jokinen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Fantana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jokinen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Fantana checks a low kick from Jokinen.

Fantana closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Jokinen has a hand on Fantana's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Fantana takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jokinen is desperately trying to improve his position but Fantana has a good base and remains in mount.
Jokinen takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen is looking to improve his position but Fantana isn't that keen on the idea.
Fantana fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Brian Fantana overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jokinen regains half guard.
Jokinen is looking for a sweep. Fantana is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fantana is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Jokinen trying to control here.
Jokinen is looking to get back to full guard here but Fantana has managed to pass to side control instead.
Jokinen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Fantana keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Fantana is looking to take a break and control but Jokinen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Jokinen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fantana 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.
Jokinen is looking to control Fantana's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jokinen avoid being mounted?
Fantana drops an elbow to the side of Jokinen's head.
Fantana wants to take a breather but Jokinen is having none of it.
Fantana wants to free his trapped foot but Jokinen is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Fantana thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jokinen's head.
Jokinen is refusing to be controlled, as Fantana sits in half guard.
Fantana scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Jokinen manages to get to full guard.
Jokinen wants to sweep but no luck.
Fantana postures up in Jokinen's guard and throws a big left but Jokinen blocks it.
Jokinen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Jokinen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fantana is aware though and is defending well.
Fantana trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
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 Brian Fantana will probably get the nod.
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!

Jokinen lands a leg kick that knocks Fantana off balance momentarily.
Fantana has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Fantana there as he acknowledges the shot.
Fantana with a body punch. A glancing blow.
That kick from Jokinen tenderised Fantana's leg. Fantana is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jokinen connects with a looping right hand.
Jokinen throws a leg kick which misses Fantana's front leg but catches the back leg as Fantana tries to avoid it.
Fantana lands with a nice combination. Jokinen backs away looking to recover.
Jokinen moves to clinch but Fantana breaks away

and Fantana counters with a single leg into guard. Jokinen didn't expect that.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fantana is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Fantana trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
Jokinen being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.
Jokinen working a defensive guard here.
Jokinen keeping moving, preventing Fantana from controlling successfully.
Jokinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jokinen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fantana's guard.

Fantana is trying to keep Jokinen in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Jokinen looking to sit in guard and control but Fantana gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Fantana wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.
Jokinen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Fantana avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jokinen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fantana works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fantana seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Fantana keeping full guard, as Jokinen tries to pass.
Jokinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen wants to control from the top but Fantana keeps moving.
Jokinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jokinen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fantana is keeping the position for now.
Jokinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jokinen stops Fantana from standing up.
Fantana manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jokinen manages to get himself to full guard.

Jokinen wants to sweep here but Fantana controlling him for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fantana advances to half guard.
Fantana scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fantana is taking a breather. Jokinen 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.
Jokinen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Fantana.
Jokinen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fantana postures up.
Jokinen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

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 Brian Fantana.
I think Fantana 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Brian Fantana!
After winning the bout, Brian Fantana thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.