PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Katu Partio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Hiller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Partio comes to the cage accompanied by Kolmetoista kertaa kovempi kuin kukaan. Hiller has chosen Rush and Run - Shake and Jump as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Partio
vs
Hiller

185 cm
22
160 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

176 cm
22
169 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Katu Partio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Erik Hiller!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Atkins and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Partio is looking to slow Hiller down with leg kicks.
Hiller staying out of range there.
Hiller fails to land the takedown.
A solid leg kick lands there for Partio.
Nice body kick there by Hiller.
Partio blocks the body kick.
Partio works the jab nicely.
Partio lands a head shot.

Hiller gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Partio struggles to land a body shot inside as Hiller controls his hands.
Hiller tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hiller wants to break free but Partio has control.
Partio lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Partio scores with a nice hook to the head.
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!
A left hand lands to the body for Hiller.
Partio misses with a hook to the ribs.
Partio struggles to land a body shot inside as Hiller controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Partio.
A short left from Partio.
Hiller tries to break free but Partio pushes him back against the cage.
We've been informed that Hiller has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Partio takes a shot to the head.
Hiller lands with a short shot to the head.
Hiller misses with a body punch.
Hiller drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Partio gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hiller wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hiller scores with a shot to the side of Partio's head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hiller.
Partio blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Partio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hiller catches Partio with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hiller fails with an attempt to clinch.
Partio is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hiller.
Hiller tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Partio crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Hiller - the referee stops the clock and Partio gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Hiller. Partio manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice inside leg kick there by Partio. That's going to slow Hiller down.
Hiller swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Partio changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Partio takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Partio connects with the punch.
Partio digs a good hook to Hiller's body.
Partio lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hiller backs up against the cage.
Hiller throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hiller misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Partio.

Hiller scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Partio is looking to reverse the position.
Hiller tries to advance to mount but Partio denies him.
Partio is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hiller is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Partio has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiller in the domination position with Partio hanging on.
Partio tries to buck Hiller off but Hiller is having none of it.
Partio prevents Hiller from moving into mount.

Hiller looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Hiller swings around for an armbar but Partio sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hiller's guard.
Partio trying to control but Hiller is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiller 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.
Hiller keeping moving, preventing Partio from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hiller tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Partio engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Hiller escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Partio gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Partio has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hiller looking for a sweep. Not yet Hiller, not yet.
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 Katu Partio will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hiller avoids the head kick by Partio.
Hiller throws a body shot but no joy.
Partio throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Hiller tries to land a front kick but Partio steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Partio pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hiller is out of range and Partio settles back down.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hiller. That's going to slow Partio down.
Partio avoids the head kick by Hiller.
Partio scores with a leg kick.
Partio lands a nice shot to the body.
Hiller pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Partio tries to clinch but Hiller moves out of range.
Hiller appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Partio staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hiller just misses with a punch to the body.
Partio with a hook.
Partio does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Hiller is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Partio rather than just go for the knockout.
Decent striking displayed by Partio there.
Partio slips under a jab.
Partio with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Partio, right into the meat.
It looks like Partio has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Partio misses with a leg kick
and Hiller counters with a straight right hand.
Good leg kick by Partio there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Partio, as that shot connected.
Partio blocks a head kick by Hiller.
Hiller uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Partio.
Partio connects with an inside leg kick.
Partio missing with a left hand there. Hiller was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Partio lands with an uppercut that bounces Hiller off the cage and back into range.
Hiller lands a really nice looking cross but Partio seems unphased.
Partio misses with an uppercut.
Hiller drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Partio defends it well.
Hiller walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hiller on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A slow jab from Hiller misses its intended target.
Partio blocks a jab.
Hiller misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Partio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiller lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Crunch! Hiller slams his shin into Partio's torso.
Partio takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A jab from Hiller finds it's way through Partio's defenses.
Partio lands with a right hand.
Partio fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hiller lands a jab.
Partio connects with an inside leg kick.
Hiller looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hiller.
Hiller misses with a straight left.
Katu Partio is winning the standup battle so far.
Hiller scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Hiller looking to score a takedown here. Partio is defending well but Hiller drives through and ends up in Partio's guard.

Partio is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Hiller got a little sloppy there for a moment and Partio has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hiller has managed to get both his arms back between Partio's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiller preventing the sweep.
Hiller passes Partio's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Partio is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Partio gets full guard.
Partio is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hiller looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Partio looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Partio is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Partio looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hiller with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hiller is trying to control but can't.
Hiller manages to get to full guard.
Partio stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hiller swivels though and keeps the full guard.
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 Katu Partio 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!

Partio scores with a hook to the body. Hiller takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hiller's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Partio avoids a kick to the body.
Hiller connects with a body shot.
Partio tests Hiller's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hiller misses the shot to the body.
Partio 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.
Partio throws a body punch but Hiller moves out of range.
Hiller on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Partio takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Partio looks to score with a jab to the body but Hiller is just out of range.
A jab from Hiller does it's job there.
Partio buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hiller is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Partio.
Partio throws a good cross that connects.
Partio lands with a nice body punch.
Hiller tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Partio tries to counter by clinching up but Hiller breaks away and moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partio misses with a left hand
and Hiller counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nice jab there from Hiller.
Hiller misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
It looked like Partio was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Hiller.
Hiller tries to land a leg kick but Partio saw it coming and moves away.
Hiller is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Partio avoids the body shot from Hiller.
Partio scores with a shot to the body.
Hiller has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Partio.
Partio stalks Hiller and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hiller's face. Hiller staggers backwards, shaken.
Partio lands with a right hand.
Partio throws a leg kick but Hiller sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Hiller stalks Partio and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Partio's face. Partio staggers backwards, shaken.
Katu Partio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Partio scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Hiller misses with a head kick.
Hiller misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Partio connects with an inside leg kick.
Partio misses with a wild body shot.
Partio keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Partio misses with a body shot.
Hiller throws a jab when Partio was well out of range.
Hiller throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hiller looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Partio ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hiller looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hiller walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Partio checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Partio seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Partio scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Partio fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hiller has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Partio closes the distance and pushes Hiller back into the cage.
Hiller lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Partio throws a punch but it's blocked by Hiller.
Hiller tries a body shot but Partio blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiller working hard to break the clinch.

Partio breaks from the clinch.
Hiller throws a head kick but Partio moves out of range.
Hiller misses with a double jab.
Partio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A jab from Partio does it's job there.
Partio cracks the inside of Hiller's front leg.
Partio uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hiller.
Partio takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hiller tries to move into range but Partio moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Partio connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A big right from Partio misses.
Partio lands a leg kick that knocks Hiller off balance momentarily.
Erik Hiller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Hiller shoots in and gets a takedown into Partio's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Partio lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiller looking to hit a scissor sweep but Partio is one step ahead there.
Partio cracks Hiller with a solid left hand.
Partio lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Hiller is looking for a triangle but Partio pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hiller is looking for a triangle but Partio pushes his legs off easily.
Hiller takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Partio is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Katu Partio showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Partio, 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Katu Partio!
In his post fight interview, Katu Partio started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.