PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Dominic Hoover (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pikku Pioneeri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hoover comes into the arena with Godsmack - I Stand Alone blaring out of the sound system. Pioneeri is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Lenin-setä asuu Venäjällä. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hoover
vs
Pioneeri

172 cm
27
166 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

172 cm
26
158 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dominic Hoover!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Pikku Pioneeri!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice cross by Pioneeri.
Hoover throws a hook to the side of Pioneeri's head but Pioneeri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pioneeri scores with a jab. Hoover acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Pioneeri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pioneeri moves into range and connects with a jab.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nice defenses there by Hoover.
Pioneeri throws a big shot that misses.
Hoover displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pioneeri throws out the jab.
Hoover lands a body shot.
Pioneeri throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
We've been told by Hoover's head coaches at Helsinki Fight Club that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Pioneeri fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Hoover clinches up with Pioneeri and pushes him back against the cage.
Pioneeri working aggressively here.
Pioneeri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hoover blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short right from Pioneeri.
Hoover lands a left hand.
Pioneeri throws a punch but it's blocked by Hoover.
Pioneeri misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hoover lands a knee to the body.
Pioneeri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pioneeri as Hoover tries to tie him up.
Hoover tries to stall but Pioneeri uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoover with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Pioneeri is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hoover using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pioneeri has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hoover is looking to control Pioneeri's arms but Pioneeri gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hoover has his back to the cage.
Hoover lands a shoulder strike.
A right hand to the body from Pioneeri.
Pioneeri is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hoover is defending well.
Pioneeri tries for a takedown. No joy.
Dominic Hoover has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pikku Pioneeri.
Pioneeri misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pioneeri.
Pioneeri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hoover tries to work over Pioneeri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hoover tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pioneeri's elbow.
A head punch on the inside from Pioneeri fails to land.
Pioneeri scores with a shoulder strike.
Hoover pressing his opponent against the cage.
Pioneeri is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoover stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hoover landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Hoover blocks an uppercut.

Pioneeri pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pioneeri scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hoover takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Pioneeri ducks under a wild hook from Hoover.
Hoover looks to score with a jab to the body but Pioneeri is just out of range.

Pioneeri feints and as Hoover raises his hands in defense, Pioneeri changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hoover controls Pioneeri momentarily but Pioneeri frees himself.
Hoover wants to sweep here but Pioneeri controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Hoover seems keen to control Pioneeri's posture.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pioneeri accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pioneeri cracks Hoover with a solid left hand.

Hoover is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pioneeri is aware though and is defending well.
Pioneeri trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pioneeri chips away with some ground and pound.
Pioneeri trying to control the position from guard on top but Hoover is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pioneeri looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Pioneeri trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pioneeri's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hoover working a defensive guard here.
Hoover is pulling down on Pioneeri's head. It's preventing any offense from Pioneeri, at least for the moment.
Hoover bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pioneeri's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pioneeri working a defensive guard here.
Hoover trying to control but Pioneeri is working from the bottom.
Hoover's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Pioneeri has his foot on Hoover's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hoover works his way back into a safe position though.

Pioneeri is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hoover is aware though and is defending well.

Pioneeri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hoover doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hoover manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Pioneeri keeping moving, preventing Hoover from controlling successfully.

Pioneeri had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hoover defends it easily.
Pioneeri can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hoover controls the pace.
Hoover looking to pass the guard.

Pioneeri is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pikku Pioneeri dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hoover throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pioneeri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hoover missing with a left hand there. Pioneeri was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pioneeri looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Pioneeri connects with a right hand. Hoover shakes it off.
Pioneeri misses with a looping left.
Hoover ducks under a wild hook from Pioneeri.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hoover.
Hoover throws a body punch but Pioneeri moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Pioneeri misses.
Hoover slips a jab from Pioneeri.
Hoover takes one on the button.
Hoover on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Hoover lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoover throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pioneeri connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hoover's hands.
Hoover throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Pioneeri! But no joy.
Dominic Hoover seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hoover takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Pioneeri lands a right hook to the body.
Pioneeri fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Hoover clinches.
Pioneeri tries a body shot but Hoover blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoover throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pioneeri blocks it with crossed arms.
A head punch on the inside from Pioneeri fails to land.
Pioneeri misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short left from Hoover.
Pioneeri has Hoover pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hoover manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hoover misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pioneeri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pioneeri has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hoover seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Pioneeri can turn it around.
Hoover unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hoover.
Hoover missing with knees to the body.
Pioneeri throws a head punch that misses.
Hoover scores with a knee to the head.
Pioneeri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hoover blocks an uppercut.
Hoover blocks an uppercut.
Hoover tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hoover using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pioneeri has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hoover stalling the fight.
Hoover works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoover crunches a lovely knee into Pioneeri's ribcage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pioneeri working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Pioneeri swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hoover lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Pioneeri backwards.
Pioneeri doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Pioneeri can't find room to land a body shot as Hoover controls the action.
Pioneeri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hoover.
Pioneeri working aggressively here.
Hoover lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hoover pushes off an throws an elbow but Pioneeri leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Pioneeri drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hoover pushes Pioneeri back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Hoover struggles to land a body shot inside as Pioneeri controls his hands.
Hoover lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Pioneeri lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pioneeri misses with some punches.
Hoover pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hoover lands a nice elbow.
Pioneeri tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short right from Hoover.
Hoover lands a good knee to the midsection. Pioneeri won't want to take too many of those.
Pioneeri is breathing heavily.
Pioneeri avoiding damage as Hoover throws knees to the body.
Pioneeri misses with a punch on the inside.
Pioneeri lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Pioneeri swings wildly with an uppercut but Hoover uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dominic Hoover has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Hoover looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Hoover lands a shot to the body.
Pioneeri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hoover blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pioneeri is looking to break free of the clinch but Hoover has double underhooks.
Hoover is struggling to control the position.
Hoover can't find room to land a body shot as Pioneeri controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Hoover on the inside.
Pioneeri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pioneeri misses with a short punch on the inside.

Pioneeri pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pioneeri avoids a punch combination nicely.
A nice side step and Pioneeri releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Hoover throws a body shot but no joy.
Pioneeri missing with a left hand there. Hoover was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pioneeri takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Pioneeri misses with the combination.
Hoover scores with a shot to the body.
Hoover steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pioneeri.
Hoover goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hoover tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hoover fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Pioneeri showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hoover.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dominic Hoover dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hoover throws a body punch but Pioneeri moves out of range.
Pioneeri stalks Hoover and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hoover's face. Hoover staggers backwards, shaken.
Pioneeri lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hoover tries to work over Pioneeri's front leg with a kick but Pioneeri checks it.
Pioneeri cracks Hoover with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hoover uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pioneeri.
Pioneeri just misses with a punch to the body.

Hoover has Pioneeri up against the cage in a clinch.
Pioneeri misses with the head strike.
Pioneeri misses with a punch on the inside.
Hoover misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pioneeri.
Pioneeri lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Pioneeri prevents a body shot from Hoover.
Hoover missing with knees to the body.
Hoover tries to work over Pioneeri's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hoover using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hoover lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Hoover working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pioneeri.
Hoover trying to land knees to the body.
Hoover is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hoover scores with a nice hook to the head.
Pioneeri has a couple of punches blocked by Hoover.
Hoover throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hoover struggles to land a body shot inside as Pioneeri controls his hands.
Hoover blocks an uppercut.
Pioneeri can't find room to land a body shot as Hoover controls the action.
Pioneeri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hoover is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Pioneeri working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Pioneeri misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pioneeri.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Hoover creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pioneeri scores with a shot to the side of Hoover's head.
Pioneeri throws a punch but it's blocked by Hoover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoover lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Pioneeri swings wildly with an uppercut but Hoover uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hoover throws an elbow but it misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hoover throws an elbow that misses.
Hoover tries a body shot but Pioneeri blocks it.
Hoover putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Pioneeri in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Pioneeri takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pioneeri tries for a takedown but Hoover manages to get underhooks.
Hoover makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hoover landing knees to the body.
Hoover lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Pioneeri has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hoover lands a knee to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hoover.
Pioneeri on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hoover lands a good knee to the midsection. Pioneeri won't want to take too many of those.
Hoover tries to throw a body punch but Pioneeri avoids it by throwing Hoover back against the cage.
Hoover makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hoover working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoover scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Pioneeri tries to work over Hoover's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hoover lands an elbow inside.
Hoover lands an elbow that stopped Pioneeri in his tracks for a moment.
Pioneeri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Pioneeri throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hoovers head.
Good body shot from Pioneeri.
Hoover is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Pioneeri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hoover blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hoover.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Pioneeri.
Pioneeri misses with a short punch on the inside.
Pioneeri wants to get back to striking at distance but Hoover won't allow it.
Hoover creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Pioneeri's defenses.
Pioneeri managing to block the knees to the body from Hoover.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoover lands a nice shot to the body.
Hoover lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Pioneeri backwards.
Pioneeri misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hoover is pushing Pioneeri up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pioneeri lands with a left to the head.
Hoover is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Pioneeri is defending well for now.
Pioneeri misses with a body punch.
Hoover with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hoover looking to throw knees to the head but Pioneeri is blocking nicely.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Hoover obliges.
Pioneeri lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Pioneeri has picked Hoover up - he's going for a ride! Pioneeri dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hoover slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Hoover wants to control position but Pioneeri is using a can opener to pass guard... He's turned it into a full on guillotine from mount now! Big trouble for Hoover here! He's turning a lovely shade of purple and yep! He's tapping out! I would say world class Jiu Jitsu but is it really? It was nice but let's not get silly about it.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Pikku Pioneeri!
Pikku Pioneeri decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.