PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Stefan Washington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jooseppi Menkkala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Washington
vs
Menkkala

183 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
184 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good takedowns
Good kicks
Intelligent

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stefan Washington!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jooseppi Menkkala!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Robert Twigg and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Menkkala scores with a leg kick.

Washington forces Menkkala back against the cage and clinches.
Washington gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Washington content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Washington looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Menkkala dodges an elbow strike from Washington.

Washington breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Menkkala cracks the inside of Washington's front leg.
Washington on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Menkkala. Menkkala obviously looking to wear him down.
A slapping leg kick lands for Menkkala.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menkkala loads up on a big right hand but Washington slips the punch.
Menkkala dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Washington. That did some damage!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Menkkala, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Menkkala.

Menkkala tries to keep at a distance but Washington has taken the fight into the clinch.
Menkkala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Washington as Menkkala tries to tie him up.
Washington has a couple of punches blocked by Menkkala.
Washington throws an elbow but it misses.
Menkkala is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Menkkala wants to break free but Washington has control.

Washington manages to break the clinch.
Menkkala fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Washington manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by Menkkala.
Menkkala throws a head kick but Washington moves out of range.
Washington takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Menkkala thumps Washington with a low kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Menkkala.
Jooseppi Menkkala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Menkkala throws a nice outside leg kick.
Washington is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Menkkala throws a big shot that misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Menkkala.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Washington tries to close the distance and clinch but Menkkala swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Some bone on bone action there as Washington checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Washington throws a quick counter head kick but Menkkala was just out of range.
Washington is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington fails with the takedown.
A nice leg kick lands there from Menkkala.
A head kick misses from Washington.
Menkkala feints and then cracks Washington's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Washington down.
Menkkala connects with a leg kick. Washington looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Washington takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Washington tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menkkala chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Washington can pounce on him.
Menkkala scores with a spinning back kick!
Menkkala scoring well with a low kick there.
Menkkala throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Washington's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A leg kick checked by Menkkala.
Menkkala with the counter takedown but Washington avoids it easily.
Washington stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Menkkala.
Menkkala throws a quick inside leg kick.
Menkkala scores with a leg kick.
Menkkala fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Menkkala throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jooseppi Menkkala dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice takedown defense from Washington. No joy for Menkkala on that attempt.
Washington wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Menkkala, right into the meat.
A head kick from Washington lands but Menkkala takes it in his stride.
Menkkala misses with a head kick.
Washington throws a big counter combination but Menkkala scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Washington is looking to clinch but Menkkala is avoiding it.
Menkkala throws a push kick but Washington slaps the foot to one side.
Washington seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
That kick from Menkkala tenderised Washington's leg. Washington is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Washington tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Menkkala manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Menkkala shoots in but Washington avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Menkkala fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Washington has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington moves out of range of the strikes.
It looked like Washington was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
No luck for Washington with that takedown attempt.
Washington on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Menkkala fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Washington.
Jooseppi Menkkala seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Washington looks to clinch

and Menkkala counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Washington!
Washington is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Menkkala is controlling him well.

Menkkala goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Washington has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Menkkala but great work by Washington.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Menkkala is trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Washington working away.
Menkkala is looking to reverse the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Washington has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Good leg kick by Menkkala there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Washington rushes Menkkala and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Washington tries for a takedown but Menkkala manages to get underhooks.
Menkkala is trying to break free.
Washington is trying to pull guard but Menkkala has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stefan Washington. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Washington is trying to drag Menkkala to the mat but Menkkala just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Washington breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Menkkala lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Menkkala misses with a head kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Washington enables Menkkala to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Washington manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Menkkala advances to half guard.

Menkkala is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Washington wants to control but Menkkala is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menkkala is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Menkkala is looking for a kimura here.
Menkkala has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Menkkala controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jooseppi Menkkala showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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!

Menkkala turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Menkkala connects with a solid leg kick.
Stefan Washington is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Menkkala swats away the attempt to clinch by Washington.
Menkkala feints a counter leg kick.

Washington clinches up with Menkkala and pushes him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Menkkala is trying to break the clinch but Washington has him pressed against the cage.
Washington looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Menkkala blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Menkkala blocks an elbow strike from Washington.
Washington throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Washington misses with an elbow strike.
Menkkala is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Stalling in the clinch from Washington.
Menkkala jumps guard but Washington stands there with Menkkala around his waist. Menkkala gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Washington tries for a takedown. No joy.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Washington lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Washington has Menkkala pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Washington's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Washington keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Menkkala's efforts to push away.
Washington drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Menkkala gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stefan Washington. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Washington jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Menkkala walks away with a smile on his face. Washington gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Washington fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Menkkala throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Washington doesn't manage to clinch there - Menkkala circles away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Menkkala.
A nice leg kick lands there from Menkkala.
Washington tries to clinch there but Menkkala circles away.
Menkkala thows a body kick. Washington tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Washington shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Menkkala but Menkkala pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Menkkala lands a front kick.
Menkkala lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Washington is looking to clinch.
Nice body kick there by Menkkala.
Menkkala fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Menkkala lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A chopping leg kick lands by Menkkala.
Menkkala throws a head kick that Washington semi-blocks.
Stefan Washington has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jooseppi Menkkala is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A solid leg kick lands there for Menkkala.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jooseppi Menkkala comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Menkkala winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jooseppi Menkkala!