PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Zak Drezner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keijo Kerjalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Drezner
vs
Kerjalainen

175 cm
42
158 lbs
42 - 24 - 4

179 cm
38
131 lbs
39 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Machiavelli Boutique
Spartan Nutrition

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 42 - 24 - 4, fighting out of London, Zak Drezner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Keijo Kerjalainen!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kerjalainen works the jab nicely.
Drezner tries to score with a low kick but Kerjalainen moves his leg out of the way.
It seemed like Kerjalainen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kerjalainen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Drezner.
Kerjalainen cracks Drezner with an open hand slap.
Drezner throws a leg kick but Kerjalainen checks it.
Kerjalainen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kerjalainen scores with a nice head shot.
Nice defenses there by Drezner.

Kerjalainen moves into the clinch.
Drezner blocking some punches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kerjalainen tries to throw a body punch but Drezner avoids it by throwing Kerjalainen back against the cage.
Drezner is trying to force a seperation but Kerjalainen has the dominant position.
Drezner has had enough of the clinch but Kerjalainen keeps him there for the moment.
Drezner is looking to break free of the clinch but Kerjalainen has double underhooks.
Drezner wants to break free but Kerjalainen has control.
Drezner blocking some punches.
Drezner tries to break free but Kerjalainen pushes him back against the cage.

Drezner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kerjalainen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Drezner moves away.
Kerjalainen throws a sloppy head kick and Drezner moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerjalainen shoots in for a takedown but Drezner shows good takedown defense.
Drezner throws a sloppy body shot
and Kerjalainen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Drezner uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kerjalainen.
Drezner swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kerjalainen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Drezner counters with a thumping low kick.
Kerjalainen misses with a body shot.
Kerjalainen throws a body punch but Drezner moves out of range.
Kerjalainen has a takedown stuffed.
Zak Drezner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keijo Kerjalainen.
Drezner takes one to the side of the head.
Kerjalainen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Drezner stuffs the takedown attempt from Kerjalainen. Kerjalainen gets slowly back to his feet.
Drezner looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Kerjalainen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Drezner is fending him off so far but Kerjalainen persists. Nope, Drezner circles away and we're back to standing.
Kerjalainen throws a jab but it's blocked by Drezner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drezner connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Drezner connects with the punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Drezner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kerjalainen manages to avoid it.
Kerjalainen lands a nice shot that snaps Drezner's head back.
A punch combination from Drezner misses.
A head kick misses from Drezner.
Kerjalainen digs a good body shot into Drezner's ribs.
Kerjalainen misses with a takedown attempt
and Drezner counters with a nice uppercut.
Kerjalainen misses with a takedown
enabling Drezner to counter with a crisp jab.
Drezner fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kerjalainen on the side of the head.
Drezner's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kerjalainen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Drezner scrambles back to his feet.
Kerjalainen cracks a nice hook into Drezner's ribs.
Nice defenses there by Kerjalainen.
Kerjalainen is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Drezner had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Kerjalainen takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Kerjalainen is rocked!

It looks like Keijo Kerjalainen has been cut.
Drezner throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kerjalainen is still on wobbly legs! Can Drezner finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kerjalainen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kerjalainen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Drezner tries to avoid it but Kerjalainen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Drezner to the ground. Drezner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kerjalainen throws a leg kick but Drezner checks it.
Kerjalainen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Drezner.
Kerjalainen has a takedown stuffed.
Drezner fails with an attempt to clinch.
Drezner swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kerjalainen throws a hook to the side of Drezner's head but Drezner sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kerjalainen takes one on the button.
Kerjalainen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Drezner takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kerjalainen seems to have recovered his senses.
Kerjalainen throws out a loose jab but Drezner uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kerjalainen avoids the head kick by Drezner.
Drezner scores with a jab to the jaw.
Drezner throws a sloppy head kick and Kerjalainen moves out of range easily.
Drezner is looking to clinch.
Zak Drezner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Drezner throws a sloppy head kick and Kerjalainen moves out of range easily.
Drezner cracks Kerjalainen with an open hand slap.
Drezner changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A slow jab from Drezner misses its intended target.
Kerjalainen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kerjalainen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Drezner pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kerjalainen back to the cage. Drezner follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kerjalainen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Drezner is looking to clinch but Kerjalainen is avoiding it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kerjalainen slips under a jab.

Kerjalainen clinches up with Drezner and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Kerjalainen fails to land.
Kerjalainen tries a body shot but Drezner blocks it.
Kerjalainen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
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 Zak Drezner will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Keijo Kerjalainen's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Drezner staying out of range there.
A swing and a miss from Kerjalainen.
Drezner throws a hook to the side of Kerjalainen's head but Kerjalainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little jabbing left from Kerjalainen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kerjalainen thows a left - swing and a miss!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kerjalainen is leaning against Drezner and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Kerjalainen has Drezner pressed against the cage, preventing Drezner from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kerjalainen scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Drezner on the inside.
Kerjalainen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kerjalainen pushes Drezner back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kerjalainen has Drezner pressed against the cage, preventing Drezner from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Drezner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kerjalainen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Drezner sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kerjalainen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Drezner throws a shot from downtown. Kerjalainen moves away and avoids it.
Drezner lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Drezner takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nice jab there from Kerjalainen.
Kerjalainen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kerjalainen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Drezner listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kerjalainen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A slow jab from Kerjalainen misses its intended target.
Drezner throws a head kick that misses.
Kerjalainen throws a right hand that misses
and Drezner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kerjalainen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Drezner.
Kerjalainen lands a nice looking body shot.
Drezner displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kerjalainen.
Zak Drezner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keijo Kerjalainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Drezner ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kerjalainen moves away.
Drezner throws the left hand but Kerjalainen avoids the punch easily.
Kerjalainen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kerjalainen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Drezner throws out the jab.
Drezner is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Good exchange - Kerjalainen coming out on top.
Kerjalainen moves out of range of the body kick.
Kerjalainen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Drezner is fending him off so far but Kerjalainen persists. Nope, Drezner circles away and we're back to standing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kerjalainen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A quick step to the side and Drezner tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Drezner throws a series of punches but Kerjalainen avoids them all with ease.
Kerjalainen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kerjalainen shoots in looking for a takedown but Drezner manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kerjalainen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Zak Drezner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Drezner throws a head kick but Kerjalainen moves out of range.
Drezner misses with a left hand
and Kerjalainen counters with a nice low kick that buckles Drezner's knee momentarily.
A slow jab from Drezner misses its intended target.
Kerjalainen dives in and grabs Drezner's left leg, looking for a takedown. Drezner pushes down on Kerjalainen's head and hops out.
Zak Drezner is winning the standup battle so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Drezner finds it's way through Kerjalainen's defenses.
Drezner displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kerjalainen throws out the jab.
Drezner swings widly with a right hand
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Kerjalainen counters with a stiff right hand.
Kerjalainen throws a sloppy head kick
and Drezner counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Drezner wants to clinch up but Kerjalainen keeps it at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Drezner.
Kerjalainen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kerjalainen tries a head kick but it misses.
Kerjalainen misses with a looping left.
Kerjalainen throws a shot from downtown. Drezner moves away and avoids it.
Kerjalainen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A head kick misses from Kerjalainen.
Drezner cracks a nice hook into Kerjalainen's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kerjalainen takes a jab right on the kisser.
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!
Drezner misses with a head kick.
Kerjalainen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Drezner.
Kerjalainen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Drezner swivels and escapes.
Drezner appears to be looking for a big counter.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kerjalainen.
Drezner has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Kerjalainen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kerjalainen moves in looking to clinch but Drezner pushes him off.
Drezner bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kerjalainen's head backwards.
Drezner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kerjalainen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Drezner catches Kerjalainen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
A big right from Drezner misses.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kerjalainen or perhaps it was just good defense by Drezner, which made it look bad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zak Drezner dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Keijo Kerjalainen's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Drezner tries a head kick but it misses.
Kerjalainen digs a good body shot into Drezner's ribs.
Kerjalainen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kerjalainen just misses with a punch to the body.
Drezner fails with an attempt to clinch.
Drezner is looking to clinch.
Drezner uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kerjalainen.
An attempted straight right counter from Drezner misses the target.
Kerjalainen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kerjalainen shoots in looking for a takedown. Drezner tries to sprawl out of it but Kerjalainen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Drezner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Drezner throws a big counter combination but Kerjalainen scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kerjalainen has a takedown stuffed.
As Kerjalainen looks to move away, Drezner throws a big counter combo bu Kerjalainen just gets out of the way.
Kerjalainen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Drezner.
Kerjalainen throws out a counter right but Drezner avoids it with no problem.
Drezner lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Drezner feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kerjalainens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kerjalainen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Drezner sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kerjalainen somewhat.
Zak Drezner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keijo Kerjalainen.
Kerjalainen lunges at Drezner with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Drezner's hand.
Drezner fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kerjalainen manages to avoid it.
Drezner looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kerjalainen or perhaps it was just good defense by Drezner, which made it look bad.
Kerjalainen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kerjalainen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Drezner throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Drezner smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Drezner throws a hook to the side of Kerjalainen's head but Kerjalainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A swing and a miss from Drezner.
Kerjalainen steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Drezner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Drezner lands a high kick!
Drezner falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kerjalainen counters with a nice uppercut.
Drezner thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kerjalainen loads up on a big right hand but Drezner slips the punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kerjalainen throws a nice head kick!
Drezner scores with a sloppy right hand. Kerjalainen should have avoided that one.
Kerjalainen avoids the head kick by Drezner.
Drezner takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Drezner drives through and clinches with Kerjalainen against the cage.
Kerjalainen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kerjalainen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Drezner blocks an uppercut.

Drezner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Drezner closes the distance and clinches.
Keijo Kerjalainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drezner lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Kerjalainen backwards.
Kerjalainen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kerjalainen scores with a shot to the side of Drezner's head.

Drezner is rocked!
Drezner blocks an uppercut.
Oh Drezner is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kerjalainen misses with a punch on the inside.
Kerjalainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Drezner uses good head movement to avoid it.
Drezner seems to have got his legs back now.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kerjalainen.
Kerjalainen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kerjalainen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kerjalainen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kerjalainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Drezner uses good head movement to avoid it.

Drezner breaks the clinch.
A combination from Drezner does no damage.
Kerjalainen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kerjalainen misses the shot to the body.
Drezner moves out of range as Kerjalainen strikes.
Drezner gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kerjalainen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Kerjalainen lands a nice hook to Drezner's body. Drezner takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Drezner chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kerjalainen can pounce on him.
Kerjalainen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Drezner gets caught napping as Kerjalainen dives in and scores a takedown. Drezner manages to retain guard.
Drezner wants to stand but Kerjalainen is controlling the position.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Drezner manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Kerjalainen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kerjalainen can't find room to land a body shot as Drezner controls the action.
Drezner can't break the clinch.
Drezner wants to break free but Kerjalainen has control.
Keijo Kerjalainen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Drezner manages to break the clinch.
Drezner looks to land a left hand but Kerjalainen moved out of range nicely.

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 Zak Drezner.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Drezner, 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zak Drezner!
Zak Drezner took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.
Keijo Kerjalainen spoke after the fight, saying 'As always I can do everything through Christ my lord and savior who strengthens me. Without him I wouldn't be here tonight. Don't worry I'll be back.'.