PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ode Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Banner
vs
Jokinen

165 cm
32
145 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

163 cm
32
144 lbs
24 - 15 - 4

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

My$tic Clothing ~ (`10%Laundry`)

Perkele!
KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bruce Banner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 4, fighting out of London, Ode Jokinen!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jokinen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jokinen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Banner doesn't manage to clinch there - Jokinen circles away.
Jokinen connects with a jab.
Banner 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.
Banner is looking to clinch.
Banner takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Banner moves into the clinch.
Jokinen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Jokinen has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Jokinen lands a shot to the body.
Banner misses with a punch to the body.
A short right from Banner on the inside.

Jokinen has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Banner is trying to keep an underhook but Jokinen manages to get the takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jokinen stops Banner from getting back to his feet.
Banner trying to control here.
Jokinen is trying to control. Banner wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banner wants to improve his position but Jokinen is controlling well.
Banner wants to get back to full guard but Jokinen has passed into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen is staying tight to Banner's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Jokinen scores with a couple of short elbows.
Jokinen is working Banner over with some ground and pound from side control.
Jokinen lands a nice forearm strike.
Banner tries to improve position but can't.
Banner sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Banner wants to control but Jokinen is keeping busy.
Jokinen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Banner wants to get back to full guard.
Banner has a hand on Jokinen's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Jokinen takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Banner can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Banner manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Jokinen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banner trying to control here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ground and pound from Jokinen.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jokinen lands with a punch from half guard.
Jokinen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Banner is trying to get back to full guard.
Jokinen is thwarting Banner's attempts to control the position.
Banner is looking for a sweep. Jokinen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen slips a nice elbow through Banner's hands, connecting with Banner's forehead.
Banner slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Jokinen trying to control but Banner is working from the bottom.
Jokinen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Jokinen stopping the sweep attempt from Banner.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Jokinen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Banner can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Jokinen controls the pace.
Banner keeping moving, preventing Jokinen from controlling successfully.
Banner wants to sweep but no luck.
Jokinen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Banner's head.
Banner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen with a nice head shot there.
Banner trying to control the position.
Jokinen wants to control from the top but Banner keeps moving.
Banner is trying to control the position but Jokinen postures up.
Jokinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Banner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jokinen lands a couple of elbows.
Jokinen stopping the sweep attempt from Banner.
Jokinen postures up.
Jokinen stopping the sweep attempt from Banner.
Banner is working hard here to advance position.
Jokinen controlling from the top position.
Banner wants to hit a switch here but Jokinen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Banner there!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ode Jokinen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jokinen circles away from the clinch attempt
and Jokinen counters with a low kick, right behind Banner 's knee.
Nice uppercut there from Banner.
Jokinen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Jokinen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Banner wants to clinch up but Jokinen keeps it at a distance.

Banner takes the fight into the clinch.
Banner lands an elbow that stopped Jokinen in his tracks for a moment.
Banner gets underhooks to prevent Jokinen's takedown attempt.
Jokinen prevents a body shot from Banner.
Banner looks to throw an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jokinen looking to slow down the pace here.
Jokinen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Jokinen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Banner misses with a knee strike.
Jokinen swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jokinen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The referee calls for Banner to work.
Banner lands a nice elbow.
Jokinen wants to get back to striking at distance but Banner won't allow it.
Banner takes a shot to the head.
Jokinen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Banner backwards.
Jokinen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Jokinen has a couple of punches blocked by Banner.
Banner creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A short left from Jokinen.
Jokinen is trying to break the clinch but Banner is controlling him.
Banner tries to work over Jokinen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jokinen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jokinen works on Banner's body with a couple of short punches.
Jokinen is looking to break free of the clinch but Banner has double underhooks.
Banner connects with a knee to the head.
Jokinen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Jokinen effectively controlling the action here.
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!
Banner using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Jokinen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner stalling against the cage.
Banner is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Jokinen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Jokinen lands an uppercut.
Banner misses with an elbow strike.
Jokinen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Jokinen avoids the elbow strike from Banner, against the cage.
Jokinen avoids the elbow strike from Banner, against the cage.
Jokinen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jokinen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jokinen avoids a wild elbow strike from Banner.
Jokinen blocks an elbow strike from Banner.
Banner misses with an elbow strike.

Jokinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice shot by Jokinen.
Banner wants to clinch but Jokinen slips to the side
and Jokinen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Banner drives through and clinches with Jokinen against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen dodges an elbow strike from Banner.
Jokinen pushes Banner back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Banner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Banner prevents a takedown attempt there.
Banner goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Jokinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jokinen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Banner sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jokinen somewhat.
Bruce Banner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ode Jokinen.
Jokinen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Banner defends it nicely.
Jokinen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Jokinen throws a head kick that misses.
Banner tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jokinen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Banner clinches up against the cage.
Banner tries a knee to the head but Jokinen blocks it.
Jokinen jumps guard but Banner stands there with Jokinen around his waist. Jokinen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Jokinen throws a head punch that misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Banner just misses with a elbow thrown towards Jokinen's brow.

Jokinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Banner misses with an uppercut

and Jokinen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Banner has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Jokinen is working Banner over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Banner controls Jokinen momentarily but Jokinen frees himself.
Jokinen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ode Jokinen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jokinen scoring with punches to the head and body.

Banner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jokinen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jokinen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ode Jokinen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Banner tries to clinch there but Jokinen circles away.
Jokinen throws out a counter right but Banner avoids it with no problem.
Jokinen shoots in for a takedown but Banner shows good takedown defense.
Jokinen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Banner takes one on the button.
Banner doesn't manage to clinch there - Jokinen circles away.
Ode Jokinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Banner tries to clinch there but Jokinen circles away.
Banner steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Jokinen.
A cross from Jokinen lands.
Bruce Banner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banner wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banner is looking to clinch.
Jokinen is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Banner with a body shot.
Banner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Jokinen misses the shot to the body.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch but Jokinen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jokinen doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Jokinen's jab looks to have found its range, popping Banner under the eye.
Banner wants to clinch.
It seemed like Jokinen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen keeps the fight on the outside.
Banner wants to clinch.
Banner stalks Jokinen and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Jokinen's face. Jokinen staggers backwards, shaken.
Banner ducks under a wild hook from Jokinen.
Jokinen scores with a punch to the head.
Jokinen swats away the attempt to clinch by Banner.
Jokinen now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Jokinen thuds a left hand into Banner's body.
Banner throws a head kick that misses.
Jokinen walks into a stiff left hand from Banner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jokinen misses with an uppercut.
Banner tries to counter with a takedown but Jokinen is quick to defend against it.
Banner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jokinen.
Bruce Banner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jokinen cracks a nice hook into Banner's ribs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banner is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jokinen.
Banner is looking to clinch.
Jokinen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Banners jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jokinen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jokinen swats away the attempt to clinch by Banner.
Jokinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jokinen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Banner looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Banner tries to clinch
and Jokinen counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Banner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jokinen with the counter takedown but Banner avoids it easily.
Banner misses with a body shot.
Jokinen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Jokinen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Banner.
Jokinen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Banner. That did some damage!
Banner closes the distance but Jokinen moves to the side
and Jokinen counters with a nice uppercut.
Ode Jokinen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Banner fails in his attempt to clinch.
Banner scores with the left hand. Jokinen knows he should have avoided that one.
Jokinen lands the left hand.
Jokinen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Banner misses with a double jab.
Jokinen scores with a jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Jokinen as he connects with a hook.
Bruce Banner has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen keeps the fight on the outside.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice shot lands for Jokinen.
Banner wants to clinch.
Jokinen slips a straight right by Banner.
Jokinen lands with an uppercut that bounces Banner off the cage and back into range.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Jokinen, right into the meat.
Jokinen works Banner's body with a nice hook.
Jokinen scores with a body shot.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Banner comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Jokinen stalling in the clinch but Banner improves position.

Jokinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A solid leg kick lands there for Jokinen.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Jokinen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ode Jokinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jokinen 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ode Jokinen!
Ode Jokinen decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.