PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eemeli Markkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Fertus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Markkanen
vs
Fertus

180 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
39
230 lbs
23 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Eemeli Markkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mike Fertus!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markkanen thuds a left hand into Fertus's body.
A cross from Markkanen lands.
Good standup being displayed there by Markkanen as he connects with a hook.
Markkanen slips under a jab.
Markkanen dives in and grabs Fertus's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fertus pushes down on Markkanen's head and hops out.
Fertus unleashes a big counter combination but Markkanen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Markkanen misses with a takedown attempt - Fertus sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fertus looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Markkanen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

It looks like Eemeli Markkanen has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fertus connects with a body shot that sends Markkanen's belly button to the back.
Fertus turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Fertus misses the shot to the body.
Fertus throws out a loose jab but Markkanen uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Fertus defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Markkanen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eemeli Markkanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Markkanen works the jab nicely.

Markkanen feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Markkanen slips nicely into half guard.
Markkanen is looking to advance position but Fertus won't allow it.
Markkanen prevents Fertus from standing back up.
Fertus is trying to control but Markkanen passes into side control!
Markkanen trying to control the position but Fertus is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Markkanen tries for a kimura but Fertus is defending well.

Markkanen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Fertus rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Markkanen's guard! Nice work there by Fertus!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markkanen has control of Fertus's left arm, preventing Fertus from doing any damage.
Markkanen 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Markkanen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fertus defends well.
Markkanen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Markkanen has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Fertus is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Markkanen.
Markkanen is looking to regain half guard here but Fertus keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Fertus decides to stand back up. Fertus steps back and let's Markkanen get back to his feet.
Markkanen fails with a takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fertus. Markkanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Markkanen has his takedown stuffed
and Fertus cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fertus looks to throw the jab but Markkanen is out of range.
Markkanen shoots in but no luck this time.
Markkanen shoots in for a takedown but Fertus shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fertus uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Fertus stuffs the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Fertus dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Eemeli Markkanen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A swing and a miss from Fertus.
Mike Fertus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Markkanen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fertus circles away.
Fertus throws a counter combo.
Markkanen lands a glancing blow to the side of Fertus's head.
Fertus has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fertus clobbers Markkanen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Fertus swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Markkanen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Fertus counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Markkanen misses with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fertus enables Markkanen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fertus manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fertus wants to get back to his feet but Markkanen passes into half guard.

Markkanen is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Fertus reverses the position - he's now on top in Markkanen's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Markkanen looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Fertus has picked Markkanen up and slammed him! Markkanen can't keep hold of the triangle and Fertus manages to pass to side control!
Markkanen tries to buck Fertus off but Fertus is having none of it.
Markkanen struggling a bit here.
Markkanen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Fertus looks like he's trying to stand up.

Markkanen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Fertus doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Markkanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen slows the pace down in half guard.

Fertus looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Markkanen is trying to control. Fertus 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen is stalling here. Fertus is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Markkanen seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Fertus has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Markkanen is trying to control Fertus's posture but Fertus avoids it.
Markkanen is looking for a sweep.
Markkanen regains half guard.
Markkanen is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Fertus jumps into side control!

Fertus stands up.
Fertus throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Markkanen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fertus avoids it really well and circles away.
A countering left hand to the body from Fertus misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eemeli Markkanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Markkanen gets a double leg takedown into Fertus's guard.

Fertus has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Markkanen has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markkanen is trying to pull guard but Fertus has him pressed against the cage.
Markkanen tries to break the clinch but Fertus is controlling the position.
Fertus has Markkanen pushed against the cage.

Fertus breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Fertus showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Eemeli Markkanen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Markkanen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Fertus tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Markkanen is in Fertus's guard.
Markkanen wants to pass the guard but Fertus is keeping the position.
Markkanen trying to control but Fertus is working from the bottom.

Markkanen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Fertus looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Fertus looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Fertus!

Markkanen tries to bench press Fertus off him but Fertus keeps the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markkanen regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fertus wants to work for an arm triangle but Markkanen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Fertus tries to stand and escape but Markkanen is controlling the position.
Markkanen wants to get back to full guard.
Fertus is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Markkanen wants to control but Fertus is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fertus wants to stand up but Markkanen is controlling the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Mike Fertus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Markkanen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fertus but Fertus pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fertus punishes Markkanen's body with a nice straight punch.
Markkanen with a poor takedown
enabling Fertus to counter with a crisp jab.
Markkanen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Markkanen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Markkanen slips under a jab.
Fertus throws a looping overhand right but Markkanen ducks down to avoid it.
Markkanen attempts a counter takedown but Fertus avoids it well and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Eemeli Markkanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fertus connects with a looping right hand.

Eemeli Markkanen's cut is getting worse.
Fertus connects with a single shot there.
Fertus looks to throw the jab but Markkanen is out of range.
Markkanen is looking to counter punch.
Markkanen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fertus's waist but Fertus gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Markkanen off to one side.
Fertus scores with a jab.
Fertus moves away from the strike by Markkanen.
A right-left combo lands from Fertus.

Eemeli Markkanen's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Fertus looks to land a combination but Markkanen avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Markkanen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Fertus on his heels. He'll look to pass Fertus's guard now, I'm sure.

Fertus has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Markkanen is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
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!

Fertus pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fertus throws a jab but it's blocked by Markkanen.
Fertus takes a swing at Markkanen's ribcage but misses.
Markkanen slips a jab and a cross from Fertus.
Markkanen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Eemeli Markkanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Fertus is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Markkanen fails with the takedown
and Fertus counters with a right hand to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Fertus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fertus has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Fertus!
Mike Fertus decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.