PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Eliitti Paavo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clint Cartwright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paavo comes to the cage accompanied by Brother Firetribe - Winner Takes It All. Cartwright has chosen Total Domination as his entrance music. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Paavo
vs
Cartwright

155 cm
27
137 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

170 cm
30
141 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Perkele!

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Eliitti Paavo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Clint Cartwright!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paavo swats away the attempt to clinch by Cartwright.
Cartwright displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Paavo throws out the jab.
Cartwright fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Paavo avoids it really well and circles away.
Paavo scores with a nice body kick.
Cartwright looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Paavo is fending him off so far but Cartwright persists. Nope, Paavo circles away and we're back to standing.
Paavo bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Paavo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Eliitti Paavo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paavo misses with an uppercut

and Cartwright counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Paavo!

Paavo throws Cartwright to one side and escapes!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cartwright tries to close the distance and clinch but Paavo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Paavo clinches up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Paavo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paavo is pressed up against the cage. Cartwright has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Paavo down to the mat. Paavo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Eliitti Paavo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clint Cartwright.
Paavo throws a leg kick which misses Cartwright's front leg but catches the back leg as Cartwright tries to avoid it.
Paavo misses with a double jab.
Paavo lands an overhand right.
Paavo lands with a right hand.
Cartwright shoots in looking for a takedown but Paavo manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Cartwright's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A jab from Paavo does it's job there.
Cartwright tries to move into range but Paavo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Paavo looks to land a right hand but Cartwright moved out of range.
Cartwright gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Paavo counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Paavo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Paavo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch on the inside from Paavo fails to land.
Paavo misses with a punch to the body.

Cartwright is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Paavo can't fight it off and eventually Cartwright manages to take the fight to the floor. Paavo looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paavo is looking to stand up but Cartwright isn't so interested in that idea.
Paavo keeping full guard, as Cartwright tries to pass.
Paavo pulls Cartwright in close to prevent any damage.
Paavo wants to get back to his feet but Cartwright is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Cartwright looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Cartwright throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cartwright throwing strikes from guard but Paavo blocks nicely.
Paavo seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Cartwright throwing strikes but missing.
Cartwright throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paavo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paavo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Cartwright has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cartwright working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Paavo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Paavo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Paavo looking for a sweep. Not yet Paavo, not yet.
Paavo controlling Cartwright's posture.

Paavo uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Paavo clinches up with Cartwright and pushes him back against the cage.
Cartwright looking for a takedown.
Cartwright fails to pull guard.
Cartwright lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Paavo backwards.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Cartwright jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Paavo walks away with a smile on his face. Cartwright gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paavo thows a leg kick but Cartwright checks it

and Cartwright counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paavo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Paavo is adopting a defensive guard.
Cartwright scoring with punches to the head and body.
Cartwright landing some decent shots from guard.
Paavo seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Cartwright won't allow Paavo to get back to his feet.
Cartwright looking to pass the guard.
Paavo is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Cartwright throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eliitti Paavo dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Paavo misses with a hook. Cartwright ducked under it nicely.

Paavo clinches with his opponent.
Cartwright tries to score a body lock takedown but Paavo shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Paavo lands with a left to the head.
Cartwright goes for a takedown in the clinch but Paavo prevents it.
Cartwright blocking some punches.
Cartwright tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Eliitti Paavo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clint Cartwright.
Paavo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cartwright.
Cartwright tries to pull guard but Paavo holds him up against the cage and eventually Cartwright drops back down to his feet.
Paavo misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cartwright.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Paavo on the inside.
Cartwright is looking for a takedown.
Cartwright drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cartwright tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paavo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cartwrights head.
Paavo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cartwright can do to turn this around?
Cartwright tries to pull guard but Paavo forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Paavo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cartwright has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Paavo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Paavo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Paavo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Paavo misses with a hook from the clinch.

Cartwright gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Paavo regains guard.

Paavo has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Cartwright has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Eliitti Paavo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cartwright jumps guard but Paavo turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Paavo is pressed up against the cage. Cartwright has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Paavo down to the mat. Paavo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Cartwright looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Paavo is fending him off so far but Cartwright persists. Nope, Paavo circles away and we're back to standing.
An attempted straight right counter from Paavo misses the target.
Cartwright is breathing heavily.
Cartwright takes a body punch but keeps moving.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Cartwright.
Paavo fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Cartwright on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Paavo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short right from Paavo.
Cartwright wants to take the fight to the mat but Paavo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Paavo scores with a nice hook to the head.
Paavo is pressed up against the cage. Cartwright has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Paavo down to the mat. Paavo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Paavo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Paavo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cartwright fails with an attempt to clinch.

Paavo clinches.
Paavo lands a hook that snaps the head of Cartwright backwards.
Paavo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Cartwright changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Paavo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Cartwright takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Cartwright slips under a jab.
Nice defenses there by Cartwright.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paavo throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cartwright changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Paavo lands a nice shot to the body.
Cartwright tries to clinch but Paavo moves out of range.
Cartwright takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Eliitti Paavo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Paavo lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Paavo shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Cartwright eats them both and turns towards Paavo to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Cartwright is working for takedown but Paavo is calmly controlling the position for now.
Cartwright changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Paavo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Paavo is looking to slow Cartwright down with leg kicks.
Paavo misses with a leg kick.
Paavo is looking to chop away at Cartwright's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paavo jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Cartwright with a lazy takedown attempt

and Paavo moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cartwright has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Paavo after a bit of a struggle.
Cartwright wants a takedown but no success here.
Paavo tries a body shot but Cartwright blocks it.
Cartwright wants a takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Paavo fails to land.
Paavo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Paavo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Paavo misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Paavo fails to land.
Paavo gets underhooks to prevent Cartwright's takedown attempt.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Cartwright.

Cartwright has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Paavo uses from the top position.
Clint Cartwright has got the better of the ground game so far.
Paavo engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Paavo decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eliitti Paavo dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Paavo.
Paavo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cartwright changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Cartwright doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Paavo.
Cartwright fails to land the takedown.
A left lands for Paavo.
Paavo swings for the body but Cartwright moves out of range.
Cartwright with the counter takedown but Paavo avoids it easily.
Paavo throws a shot from downtown. Cartwright moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Paavo darts in and clinches Cartwright up against the cage.
Cartwright tries to score a body lock takedown but Paavo shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Cartwright goes for a takedown in the clinch but Paavo prevents it.
Eliitti Paavo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Clint Cartwright.
Paavo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short left from Paavo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartwright drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Paavo.
Paavo has a couple of punches blocked by Cartwright.
Cartwright is trying to pull guard but Paavo has him pressed against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Paavo.
Paavo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Cartwright.
Cartwright takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Paavo scores with a shoulder strike.
Cartwright looking for a takedown.
Paavo is pressed up against the cage. Cartwright has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Paavo down to the mat. Paavo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Paavo lands a nice hook to Cartwright's body. Cartwright takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Paavo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cartwright dives in for a single leg takedown but Paavo sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jab by Paavo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paavo connects with a single shot there.
Cartwright has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Paavo.
Cartwright tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paavo slaps away a takedown attempt from Cartwright, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Paavo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Paavo tries to land a front kick but Cartwright steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Cartwright tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Cartwright shoots in but no luck this time.

Paavo closes the distance and pushes Cartwright back into the cage.
A short right from Paavo on the inside.
Paavo is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Cartwright fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Paavo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Cartwright is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Paavo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Paavo presses Cartwright against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paavo lands a left hand.
Cartwright blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Paavo.
Cartwright blocking some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Paavo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Cartwright is rocked!
Paavo is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Cartwright is still on wobbly legs! Can Paavo finish him?
A right hook to the body lands for Paavo.
Cartwright seems to have recovered his senses.
Paavo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Cartwright has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Paavo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Paavo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A shot in the inside from Paavo.
Paavo presses Cartwright against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Paavo lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cartwright or not.
Paavo pushes Cartwright back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Paavo scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paavo is working Cartwright over against the cage.
Paavo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cartwright backwards.
Cartwright drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Clint Cartwright has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paavo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cartwright backwards.
Cartwright blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Cartwright has Paavo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Paavo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cartwright drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Paavo misses with a punch on the inside.

Cartwright jumps guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paavo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Paavo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Cartwright's guard.
Paavo controls from within his opponent's guard.
Cartwright trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eliitti Paavo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Paavo, 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:25
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:25
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:25

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