PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Jalkalukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alessandro Maximilian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jalkalukko comes to the cage accompanied by Jordan Sparks ft. Chris Brown - No Air . Alessandro Maximilian has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Jalkalukko
vs
Maximilian

190 cm
41
200 lbs
28 - 31 - 0

183 cm
32
183 lbs
10 - 3 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 28 - 31 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Jalkalukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alessandro Maximilian!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jalkalukko closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jalkalukko tries to advance to mount but Maximilian denies him.
Jalkalukko throws an elbow but Maximilian slips to the side and avoids it well.

Jalkalukko goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Maximilian has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Jalkalukko but great work by Maximilian.
Jalkalukko tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Maximilian really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Jalkalukko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Maximilian tries to stand but Jalkalukko is controlling his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jalkalukko keeps Maximilian under control for a moment.
You can see the frustration on Jalkalukko's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've been hearing good reports from Jalkalukko's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jalkalukko is looking for a sweep.
Jalkalukko is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Maximilian is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

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.
Maximilian prevents Jalkalukko from getting the reversal.
Jalkalukko tries to hold on but Maximilian postures up.
Jalkalukko wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Jalkalukko trying to control the position but Maximilian manages to sink in the hooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko rolls, trying to escape but Maximilian keeps control of the position.
Jalkalukko manages to reverse the position and now he's in Maximilian's guard. Nice work there by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maximilian is keeping the position for now.
Jalkalukko wants to control from the top but Maximilian keeps moving.
Jalkalukko passes into half guard.
Jalkalukko trying to control the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maximilian keeps working.

Jalkalukko is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Jalkalukko wants to take a breather but Maximilian is having none of it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Jalkalukko has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Jalkalukko looking to ground and pound but Maximilian is blocking nicely.
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 Jesse Jalkalukko will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Jalkalukko wants to clinch up but Maximilian keeps it at a distance.
Jalkalukko lands a head kick. Maximilian smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Jalkalukko misses with a kick to the body.
Jalkalukko lands a head kick. Maximilian smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Maximilian avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jalkalukko throws a sloppy head kick and Maximilian moves out of range easily.
Maximilian is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Jalkalukko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maximilian can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jalkalukko tried to score with a low kick but Maximilian checks it.
Maximilian changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Jalkalukko looking to score a takedown here. Maximilian is defending well but Jalkalukko drives through and ends up in Maximilian's guard.
Jalkalukko looking to sit in guard and control but Maximilian gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maximilian won't allow Jalkalukko to sweep him here.
Jalkalukko wants to improve his position but instead Maximilian has moved into half guard.
Jalkalukko preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Jalkalukko wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Jalkalukko is trying to maintain the position but Maximilian is very close to passing his half guard.
Jalkalukko wants to get back to full guard.
Maximilian tries to stand and escape but Jalkalukko is controlling the position.
Jalkalukko wants to get back to full guard.
Jalkalukko wants to control but Maximilian is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Maximilian tries to stand but can't do so whilst Jalkalukko controls his leg.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Maximilian blocks a jab.
Maximilian drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Jalkalukko defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko misses with a body kick.
Jalkalukko tries to clinch up.
Maximilian changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A good leg kick by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jalkalukko feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Maximilians jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Jalkalukko dives in for a single leg takedown but Maximilian sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Maximilian is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Jalkalukko scores with a nice head shot.

Jalkalukko changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Maximilian looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Jalkalukko is trying to get an arm triangle but Maximilian is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maximilian regains half guard there - taking advantage of Jalkalukko's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

Jalkalukko wants to work for an arm triangle but Maximilian is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Jalkalukko stalling.
Jesse Jalkalukko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Jalkalukko is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Jalkalukko dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Jalkalukko takes a swing at Maximilian's ribcage but misses.
Maximilian changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Jalkalukko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Jalkalukko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Jalkalukko dives in for a single leg takedown but Maximilian sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Maximilian blocks a head kick by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko throws a solid leg kick but Maximilian takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko shoots in for a double leg but Maximilian sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good work by Maximilian as he checks the leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko throws a sloppy head kick and Maximilian moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jalkalukko gets a clinch.

Jalkalukko breaks the clinch.
Jalkalukko misses with a body kick.
Maximilian tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A head kick misses from Jalkalukko.
Maximilian takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Jalkalukko wants to land a leg kick but Maximilian is out of range.
A good leg kick by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that misses.
Maximilian with the counter takedown but Jalkalukko avoids it easily.
A low kick from Jalkalukko misses

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maximilian wants to get up but he can't break Jalkalukko's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Maximilian is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Jalkalukko wants to sweep but no luck.
Jalkalukko working a defensive guard here.
Jalkalukko working a defensive guard but Maximilian passes into half guard.
Jalkalukko is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko wants to control but Maximilian is keeping busy.
Jalkalukko works his way to full guard. Good work.

Jalkalukko is looking for a triangle but Maximilian pushes his legs off easily.
Jalkalukko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Jalkalukko has a closed guard, preventing Maximilian from standing up.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Maximilian takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Jalkalukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maximilian changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jalkalukko or perhaps it was just good defense by Maximilian, which made it look bad.
Maximilian drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Jalkalukko defends it well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Jalkalukko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jalkalukko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Maximilian avoids the head kick by Jalkalukko.
Jesse Jalkalukko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jalkalukko throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Maximilian drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Jalkalukko defends it well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jesse Jalkalukko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jalkalukko, 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 30:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jesse Jalkalukko!
Jesse Jalkalukko thanked the fans post fight for their support.