PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mack Branco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lauri Pekkarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Branco comes to the cage accompanied by Stranglehold. Pekkarinen has chosen For Heavy Metal we will die! as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Branco
vs
Pekkarinen

184 cm
25
195 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

188 cm
25
193 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

King of Fists
Bullet Proof System

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 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mack Branco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lauri Pekkarinen!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Alec Ball and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pekkarinen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Branco lands a front kick.
Pekkarinen tries to clinch there but Branco circles away.
Pekkarinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Branco walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Pekkarinen misses with an uppercut.
Branco throws a push kick but Pekkarinen slaps the foot to one side.
Pekkarinen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Pekkarinen lands with an overhand left.
Pekkarinen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Pekkarinen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Branco makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Pekkarinen really felt that one!
Branco uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen looks to land a right hand but Branco moved out of range.
Branco throws a right hand that misses
and Pekkarinen counters with an inside leg kick.
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!
Pekkarinen thows a body kick. Branco tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Branco has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Branco throws a hook but Pekkarinen blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pekkarinen moves into the clinch.
Branco lands with a light punch inside.
Branco struggles to land a body shot inside as Pekkarinen controls his hands.
Branco lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Branco throws a head punch that misses.
Branco blocking some punches.
Branco tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Branco is leaning against Pekkarinen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Nice body punch from Pekkarinen.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen blocking some punches.
Branco misses with a hook to the ribs.
Pekkarinen swings wildly with an uppercut but Branco uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pekkarinen misses with a short punch on the inside.

Pekkarinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pekkarinen thows a leg kick but Branco checks it
enabling Branco to counter with a crisp jab.
Branco cracks Pekkarinen with a good jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Branco throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Pekkarinen steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Branco is looking to counter punch.
Pekkarinen misses with an uppercut
and Branco makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Branco throws a right hand that Pekkarinen ducks under and follows up with a left that Pekkarinen also avoids with ease.
Pekkarinen checks the leg kick.
Lauri Pekkarinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pekkarinen throws the left hand but Branco avoids the punch easily.

Branco tries to keep at a distance but Pekkarinen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Branco looking to throw knees to the head but Pekkarinen is blocking nicely.

Branco breaks the clinch.
Branco lands a right hook to the body.
Branco misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Branco pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Pekkarinen tries to land a body kick
and Branco counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Pekkarinen misses with a hook. Branco ducked under it nicely.
Branco is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Branco just misses with a punch to the body.
Pekkarinen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Branco finds it's way round the side to connect with Pekkarinen's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Branco checks a low kick from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen throws a looping overhand right but Branco ducks down to avoid it.
Pekkarinen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Pekkarinen misses with an uppercut.
It appears Branco was looking to counter with a kick there.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Branco crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Pekkarinen - the referee stops the clock and Branco gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Pekkarinen. Branco manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Branco looks to land a right hand but Pekkarinen moved out of range.
Pekkarinen misses with a leg kick.
Branco looks to throw the jab but Pekkarinen is out of range.
Pekkarinen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Pekkarinen scores with a jab. Branco acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Branco throws a nice inside leg kick.
Branco's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Pekkarinen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Branco scrambles back to his feet.
Pekkarinen throws a low kick, looking for Branco's leg but Branco calmly moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pekkarinen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen misses with a straight right.
Branco was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A telegraphed right hand from Branco misses the target.
Branco fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Pekkarinen checks it well.
Pekkarinen misses with a looping left.
Branco misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Pekkarinen counters with a stiff right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pekkarinen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Branco throws a hook but Pekkarinen avoids it easily.
Branco moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromPekkarinen.
Branco is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pekkarinen.
Sloppy strikes from Pekkarinen. Those never looked like landing.
Branco with a hook.
Branco lands with a good body shot.
Branco fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pekkarinen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen avoids the body shot from Branco.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Branco circles away from the clinch attempt
and Branco counters with a left to the body.
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 Mack Branco will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Branco moves out of range of the strikes.
Pekkarinen scores with a head kick. Branco tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Pekkarinen keeps the fight on the outside.
Branco throws a push kick but Pekkarinen slaps the foot to one side.
Pekkarinen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pekkarinen digs a good hook to Branco's body.
Pekkarinen throws a hook but Branco avoids it easily.
Pekkarinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Branco.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Branco crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Pekkarinen - the referee stops the clock and Branco gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Pekkarinen. Branco manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Branco tests Pekkarinen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lauri Pekkarinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donk. Pekkarinen catches Branco right on the button with a cross.
Pekkarinen just misses with a punch to the body.
Branco is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Pekkarinen lands a nice hook to Branco's body. Branco takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Pekkarinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Branco scores with a kick to the body.
Pekkarinen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Pekkarinen scores with a nice body kick.
Branco misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pekkarinen.
Branco keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen misses with a hook.
Branco swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Branco scores with a leg kick.
Branco staying out of range there.
Pekkarinen misses with a hook.
Pekkarinen misses with an uppercut.
Nice defenses there by Branco.
Branco went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Branco takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Pekkarinen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Branco.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pekkarinen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen digs a good body shot into Branco's ribs.
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!
Pekkarinen throws a right hand that misses
and Branco counters with a nice kick to the body.
Pekkarinen moves in looking to clinch but Branco pushes him off.
It looked like Branco wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Branco checks the leg kick.
Branco connects with the punch.
Pekkarinen misses with a body kick.
Pekkarinen sizes up Branco with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Branco darts in and clinches Pekkarinen up against the cage.
Branco taking a breather.
Pekkarinen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Branco cracks Pekkarinen with a nice body shot.

Pekkarinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pekkarinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Branco throwing a counter right hand but Pekkarinen manages to avoid it.
Pekkarinen misses with a combination
and Branco counters with a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Branco is out of range.
Pekkarinen tries a low kick but Branco avoids it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pekkarinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Pekkarinen blocks the body kick.
Sloppy strikes from Pekkarinen. Those never looked like landing.
Pekkarinen stuns Branco with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Pekkarinen connects with a body shot.
Branco displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pekkarinen throws out the jab.
Branco misses with a kick to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Branco.
Pekkarinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Branco keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Branco feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Pekkarinen's calf.
Pekkarinen misses with a kick to the body
and Branco counters with a stiff right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branco connects with a looping right hand.
Pekkarinen moves out of range of the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Branco fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Branco defending well as Pekkarinen loads up on a big left hand.
Pekkarinen looks to land a combination but Branco avoids it well.
A counter left hand to the body from Branco misses its target.
Branco misses the shot to the body.
Pekkarinen misses with a right hand
and Branco counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Pekkarinen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pekkarinen looks for the body kick but Branco saw that one coming.
Pekkarinen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Branco lands with a nice body punch.
Pekkarinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Branco.
Nice jab there from Pekkarinen.
Branco defending well as Pekkarinen loads up on a big left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lauri Pekkarinen 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!

Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Branco, as that shot connected.
Pekkarinen throws a half hearted mid kick.

Branco darts in and clinches Pekkarinen up against the cage.

Pekkarinen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Branco keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pekkarinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pekkarinen misses with a body kick.

Branco tries to keep at a distance but Pekkarinen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Branco lands an elbow just above Pekkarinen 's eye.

It looks like Lauri Pekkarinen has been cut.
Pekkarinen lands with a short shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right hook to the body lands for Pekkarinen.
Branco blocks an uppercut.

Pekkarinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pekkarinen moves out of range of the strikes.
Pekkarinen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Branco.
Pekkarinen misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen avoids the body shot from Branco.
Pekkarinen slips a straight right by Branco.
Branco paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Pekkarinen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Pekkarinen swings for the body but Branco moves out of range.
Branco steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pekkarinen.
Branco feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Pekkarinen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Branco scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Pekkarinen needs to keep his hands up - Branco had a free shot at his head there.
Pekkarinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Branco was well out of range. Poor timing from Pekkarinen.
Branco staying out of range there.
Pekkarinen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Branco.
Pekkarinen misses with a double jab.
Branco lands a slapping body shot.

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!
Pekkarinen just misses with a punch to the body.
Branco throwing a counter right hand but Pekkarinen manages to avoid it.
Branco fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Branco avoids a punch combination nicely.
Branco connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Branco moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Branco, right into the meat.
Branco misses with a body kick.
Pekkarinen throws a lazy right hand but Branco sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pekkarinen misses with an uppercut. Branco saw that one coming.
Pekkarinen looks to land a right hand but Branco moved out of range.
Pekkarinen scores with a hook to the body. Branco takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen misses with an uppercut.
Pekkarinen thumps Branco with a low kick.
Branco connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Branco misses with a straight left.
Branco throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pekkarinen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Branco moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Danga de danga de dang - Pekkarinen scores with a four punch combination!
Pekkarinen fakes the leg kick and cracks Branco in the body.
Pekkarinen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Branco.
Branco is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Pekkarinen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Branco throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A telegraphed right hand from Pekkarinen misses the target.
Pekkarinen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Branco avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Branco is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen throws a series of punches but Branco moves out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pekkarinen throws an off balance right hand
and Branco counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pekkarinen takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Pekkarinen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pekkarinen looks to land a left hand but Branco moved out of range nicely.
Pekkarinen lands a lovely overhand right.
Decent striking displayed by Pekkarinen there.
Pekkarinen defending well as Branco loads up on a big left hand.
Pekkarinen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Pekkarinen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Branco. Branco obviously looking to wear him down.
Pekkarinen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Branco to score with a decent uppercut.
A left lands for Pekkarinen.
Branco turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Branco throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fighters circle momentarily. Pekkarinen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

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 Mack Branco.
I think Branco has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!