PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mnajdra Sheze (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jallu Pesonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pesonen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: DJ Orkidea - Joutsenlaulu. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Sheze
vs
Pesonen

177 cm
21
159 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

165 cm
20
164 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good low kicks
Granite chin

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mnajdra Sheze!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jallu Pesonen!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Josh West and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pesonen misses with a jab, cross combination.
A bone on bone clash there as Sheze blocks the leg kick.
Pesonen throws a leg kick but Sheze sees it coming and moves out of range.
Pesonen misses with a hook.
Sheze moves out of range of the leg kick from Pesonen.
Sheze moves out of range of the body kick.
Sheze throwing a counter right hand but Pesonen manages to avoid it.
Sheze slips a jab from Pesonen.
Sheze throws a body punch but Pesonen moves out of range.
Pesonen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Sheze slips under a jab.
Sheze tries to counter with a takedown but Pesonen is quick to defend against it.
A shot to the liver by Pesonen. Beautiful body shot.
Pesonen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sheze's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheze scores with a hook to the body. Pesonen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Horrible takedown attempt by Sheze or perhaps it was just good defense by Pesonen, which made it look bad.
Sheze just misses with a punch to the body.

Sheze closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Pesonen did well to prevent Sheze getting side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheze sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pesonen defending well though.
Pesonen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sheze. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Pesonen wants to control but Sheze is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Sheze is working for a submission of some sort.
Sheze thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Pesonen is looking for a sweep. Sheze is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sheze not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pesonen is positioning himself well to prevent Sheze advancing to mount.
Pesonen has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Sheze throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Sheze is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pesonen trying to control but Sheze postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Sheze not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pesonen wants to improve his position but Sheze is controlling well.

Sheze is working for a submission of some sort.
Sheze winds up and cracks Pesonen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Sheze sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pesonen defending well though.
Pesonen gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen trying to control the position here.
Pesonen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pesonen wants to sweep here but Sheze controlling him for the moment.
Pesonen is adopting a defensive guard.
Sheze scoring with some ground and pound.
Pesonen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Sheze won't allow Pesonen to sweep him here.
Sheze wants to control from the top but Pesonen keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Sheze keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pesonen's head.
Sheze scoring with some ground and pound.
Sheze throws a big elbow that misses.
Sheze preventing the sweep.
Sheze working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Pesonen's head.
Sheze works over Pesonen with some ground and pound from guard.
Sheze trying to control but Pesonen is working from the bottom.
Sheze with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sheze lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sheze keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pesonen's head.

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

Sheze is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mnajdra Sheze dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nice shot lands for Pesonen.
Pesonen catches Sheze with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The fighters circling - Sheze throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pesonen moves forwards but Sheze connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Sheze shoots in and bounces Pesonen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Pesonen keeping moving, preventing Sheze from controlling successfully.
Sheze has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Pesonen looking for a sweep. Not yet Pesonen, not yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheze will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Pesonen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pesonen working a defensive guard here.
Pesonen pulls Sheze in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesonen looking to control.
Sheze loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sheze missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pesonen wants to sweep but no luck.
Sheze throwing strikes but missing.
Mnajdra Sheze overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Pesonen wants to sweep but no luck.
Sheze stands up over Pesonen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Pesonen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Pesonen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen pulls Sheze in to control the position.
Pesonen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sheze's guard.

Sheze is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pesonen is aware though and is defending well.
Pesonen trying to control but Sheze is working from the bottom.
Pesonen is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Sheze is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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

Sheze is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Pesonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sheze is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheze is trying to control the position but Pesonen postures up.

Sheze escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pesonen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Sheze is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sheze controlling Pesonen's posture.

Sheze is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Sheze looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pesonen wants to control from the top but Sheze keeps moving.
Sheze not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Sheze looking for a guillotine here but Pesonen defends easily.
Pesonen trying to control but Sheze is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mnajdra Sheze dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pesonen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A jab from Sheze finds it's way through Pesonen's defenses.
Sheze takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Pesonen throws a push kick but Sheze slaps the foot to one side.
Sheze tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pesonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Sheze.
Pesonen throws a nice looking combination but Sheze bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Sheze swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sheze shoots in for a takedown but Pesonen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pesonen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It looked like Sheze wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Pesonen throws the kick towards the body but Sheze avoids it.
Sheze throwing a counter right hand but Pesonen manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pesonen throws a push kick but Sheze slaps the foot to one side.
Jallu Pesonen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pesonen tries a head kick but it misses.
Pesonen misses with a hook. Sheze ducked under it nicely.
Pesonen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Sheze.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sheze uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pesonen.
Sheze stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Pesonen.
Sheze misses with a looping right.
Sheze blocks a head kick by Pesonen.
Pesonen throws a series of punches but Sheze moves out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Sheze. That snapped Pesonen's head back.
Pesonen misses with a looping left.
Pesonen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Sheze slips under a jab.
Sheze swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Pesonen takes one to the side of the head.
Pesonen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Pesonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sheze fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Sheze drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sheze scoring with punches to the head and body.
Pesonen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pesonen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sheze throwing strikes from guard but Pesonen blocks nicely.
Sheze scoring with punches to the head and body.
Pesonen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Sheze throwing strikes but missing.
Sheze trying to control but Pesonen is working from the bottom.
Pesonen pulls Sheze in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheze cracks Pesonen with a solid left hand.
Sheze in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pesonen trying to control the position here.
Sheze throwing strikes from guard but Pesonen blocks nicely.
Sheze wants to control from the top but Pesonen keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pesonen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Sheze accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pesonen is pulling down on Sheze's head. It's preventing any offense from Sheze, at least for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Pesonen is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pesonen walks into a straight right hand from Sheze.
Sheze takes one to the chin there.
Jallu Pesonen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sheze lands a head shot.

It looks like Jallu Pesonen has been cut.
Pesonen tries to land a body kick

and Sheze counters with a shoot takedown. Pesonen fights it but they end up in guard.
Pesonen looking to control.
Sheze with a flurry of punches that miss.
Sheze missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sheze working some strikes from top position.
Sheze with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sheze's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Mnajdra Sheze did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Jallu Pesonen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

No joy there for Sheze, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sheze throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Pesonen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sheze shoots in looking for a takedown. Pesonen tries to sprawl out of it but Sheze keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Pesonen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pesonen catches Sheze with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Pesonen misses with a body punch
and Sheze counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sheze connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Pesonen momentarily.
Nice shot lands for Sheze.
Pesonen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Sheze swings away with a body shot that misses
and Pesonen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Pesonen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesonen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sheze is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Sheze uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pesonen.
Sheze has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Pesonen.
Pesonen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Sheze's calf.
A decent looking cross lands there for Pesonen.
Pesonen clobbers Sheze with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sheze misses with a wild body shot.
Sheze looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Pesonen throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Sheze counters with a left and a right that stings Pesonen.
Pesonen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sheze tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Pesonen defends well and Sheze ends up having to push Pesonen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Pesonen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Pesonen avoids the body shot from Sheze.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheze throws out a powerful jab.
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!
Nice defenses there by Sheze.
Pesonen fails to land with a series of punches.
Pesonen throws a leg kick but Sheze moved away.
Sheze takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Sheze is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Sheze connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A cross from Pesonen lands.
Pesonen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pesonen lands a head shot.
Sheze with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Pesonen to score with a decent uppercut.
Sheze ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pesonen moves away.
Jallu Pesonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pesonen misses with a right hand
and Sheze counters with a stiff right hand.
Pesonen takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sheze misses with a straight right.
Sheze dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sheze tries for a takedown but Pesonen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mnajdra Sheze. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pesonen throws a hook but Sheze blocks it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pesonen, right into the meat.
A punch lands to the side of Pesonen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Pesonen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sheze walks into a jab.
Pesonen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A head kick misses from Pesonen.
Sheze misses with a looping right.
Jab, jab by Pesonen - just one landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pesonen. Sheze does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pesonen throws a one two combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Decent striking displayed by Pesonen there.
Sheze misses with a looping right.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Pesonen.
Pesonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looked like Sheze was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Pesonen.
Pesonen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sheze darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Pesonen tries a low kick but Sheze avoids it.
A punch lands to the side of Sheze 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Pesonen throws a head kick but Sheze moves out of range.
Pesonen throws a leg kick that is checked

and Sheze counters with a single leg into guard. Pesonen didn't expect that.
Pesonen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sheze landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jallu Pesonen dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jallu Pesonen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Pesonen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sheze walks into a jab.
Sheze takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sheze ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pesonen moves away.
Pesonen throws a leg kick but Sheze sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sheze is looking for a counter combo.
Pesonen looks to throw a body kick
and Sheze counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sheze dips to his left and cracks Pesonen with an uppercut!
Sheze has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sheze there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sheze scores with a punch to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick from Pesonen misses.
Pesonen throws a head kick but Sheze moves out of range.
Pesonen throws a wild body kick that Sheze sees coming a mile off.
Sheze changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Pesonen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesonen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Sheze counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sheze thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sheze thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice body kick from Pesonen.
Pesonen lands a nice shot that snaps Sheze's head back.
Sheze misses with an uppercut. Pesonen saw that one coming.
Sheze walks into a jab.
Sheze moves out of range of the strikes.
Sheze lands the left hand.

Sheze scores with a takedown into Pesonen's guard.
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!
Sheze working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Pesonen controls Sheze momentarily but Sheze frees himself.
Jallu Pesonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sheze is working Pesonen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Sheze postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Sheze makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Sheze landing with the ground and pound.

Pesonen is rocked!
Pesonen keeping moving, preventing Sheze from controlling successfully.
Pesonen is still in real trouble! Can Sheze finish him?
Sheze connects with a couple of short punches.
Pesonen 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.
Sheze throws a big elbow that misses.
Pesonen seems to have recovered his senses.
Sheze chips away with some ground and pound.
Sheze connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen controls Sheze momentarily but Sheze frees himself.
Sheze content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Sheze in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Pesonen has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Sheze trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Sheze's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Pesonen is looking to stand up but Sheze isn't so interested in that idea.
Pesonen controls Sheze momentarily but Sheze frees himself.
Pesonen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sheze is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Sheze trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sheze lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Pesonen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Pesonen wants to sweep but no luck.
Sheze with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Sheze chips away with some ground and pound.
Sheze loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sheze wants to control from the top but Pesonen keeps moving.
Pesonen has momentary wrist control but Sheze slips an elbow through the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mnajdra Sheze showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Sheze 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 49:46
Judge Josh West scores the fight 49:46
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mnajdra Sheze!
Mnajdra Sheze retains his lightweight title!
Mnajdra Sheze decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.