PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ode Jokinen (ranked 2317 p4p, 106 weight class) and Stem Cell (ranked 3175 p4p, 152 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Jokinen
vs
Cell

163 cm
37
144 lbs
32 - 23 - 4

170 cm
44
141 lbs
43 - 22 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

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 32 - 23 - 4, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ode Jokinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 43 - 22 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Stem Cell!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cell showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jokinen.
Cell blocks a head kick by Jokinen.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Cell! But no joy.
Cell is looking to chop away at Jokinen's legs.
A low kick from Jokinen misses
and Cell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cell has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Jokinen is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Cell tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jokinen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jokinen tries to counter with a takedown but Cell is quick to defend against it.
Jokinen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Jokinen misses with a hook.
Cell misses the jab.
Jokinen doesn't manage to clinch there - Cell circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cell tries to clinch but Jokinen is having none of it.
Jokinen lands with a slapping head kick.
Cell is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Jokinen throws a low kick but Cell avoids it.
Jokinen seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Jokinen.
Jokinen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cell bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Cell misses with a looping left.
No joy there for Jokinen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jokinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Cell only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Cell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jokinen was well out of range. Poor timing from Cell.
Jokinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jokinen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ode Jokinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jokinen throws a body punch but Cell moves out of range.
Cell swings for the body but Jokinen moves out of range.
Stem Cell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jokinen scores with a leg kick.
Jokinen misses with a head kick.
Jokinen fails with the takedown
and Cell counters with a two punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cell looks to land a right hand but Jokinen moved out of range.
Jokinen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cell fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Jokinen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Jokinen connects with a body shot that sends Cell's belly button to the back.
Cell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jokinen throws out a powerful jab.
Cell connects with an inside leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Jokinen or perhaps it was just good defense by Cell, which made it look bad.
Jokinen lands a nice looking body kick.

Cell has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cell lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jokinen backwards.
Cell struggles to land a body shot inside as Jokinen controls his hands.

Jokinen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Cell moves into the clinch successfully.
Jokinen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Jokinen breaks from the clinch.
Cell tries to close the distance and clinch but Jokinen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Jokinen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Cell makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
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!
Cell blocks the body kick.
Cell tries to counter with a clinch but Jokinen shakes him off and moves away.
Jokinen misses with a right hand
enabling Cell to counter with a crisp jab.
Jokinen throws a hook to the side of Cell's head but Cell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jokinen with a jab.
Cell takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jokinen feinted with a counter takedown.
Nice uppercut lands for Jokinen. That snapped Cell's head back.
Jokinen misses the body punch
and Cell counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cell on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Jokinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Cell is just out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Jokinen is trying to pull guard but Cell turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ode Jokinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cell stalls.
Jokinen can't find room to land a body shot as Cell controls the action.
Jokinen has Cell pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cell manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cell tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jokinen stalling the fight.
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 Ode Jokinen will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jokinen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Cell pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Jokinen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Cell misses the shot to the body.
Jokinen misses with a hook to the body
and Cell counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Jokinen tries to bum rush Cell with a series of wild strikes but Cell uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jokinen feints and then cracks Cell's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cell down.
Jokinen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Jokinen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jokinen misses with a hook to the body
and Cell counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cell is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jokinen shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Jokinen misses with a hook
and Cell counters with a right hand to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cell avoids the body shot from Jokinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cell throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Jokinen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Jokinen throws a leg kick but Cell sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Cell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A head kick misses from Cell.
Jokinen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jokinen swinging wildly here.
Cell swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Cell looking to land some kicks to the body here.
No joy there for Jokinen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cell throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jokinen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Cell counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Jokinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cell swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen misses with a series of wild punches.
Cell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jokinen misses with a right hand
and Cell connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cell thuds a left hand into Jokinen's body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cell walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Jokinen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Cell throws a hook to the side of Jokinen's head but Jokinen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Cell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jokinen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Cell.
Cell looks to land a left hand but Jokinen moved out of range nicely.
Jokinen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Cell cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Jokinen misses with an uppercut
and Cell counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen lands a right hook to the body.
Cell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jokinen misses with a wild combination.
Cell comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Cell 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.
Cell throws a lazy head kick

and Jokinen counters with a single leg into guard. Cell didn't expect that.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Jokinen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jokinen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Jokinen stopping the sweep attempt from Cell.
Jokinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cell looking to control.
Cell managing to control the position.
Jokinen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Jokinen throwing strikes from guard but Cell blocks nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cell has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Jokinen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Cell stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Jokinen.
Cell on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Jokinen. Jokinen obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Cell takes the fight into the clinch.
Jokinen is trying to pull guard but Cell has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ode Jokinen will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Jokinen throws a right hand that misses
and Cell counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Jokinen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cell circles away quickly and effectively.

Jokinen closes the distance and clinches.
Jokinen leaning his opponent against the cage.
Cell has a couple of punches blocked by Jokinen.
Cell taking a breather.
Cell is trying to maintain a safe position but Jokinen gets an underhook and turns Cell into the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Cell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jokinen fails to pull guard.
Cell tries a body shot but Jokinen blocks it.
Cell softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Jokinen is working Cell over against the cage.

Jokinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jokinen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Cell counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen slips a jab from Cell.
Cell throws out a leg kick but Jokinen moves out of range and Cell only half commits.
Cell shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Cell punishes Jokinen's body with a nice straight punch.
Jokinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Cell.
Jokinen blocks the body kick.
Cell leaves Jokinen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Cell is looking to clinch but Jokinen is avoiding it.
Jokinen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Cell sprawls and moves away.
Cell displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jokinen throws out the jab.
Cell cracks the inside of Jokinen's front leg.
Cell takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Stem Cell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Cell, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jokinen feinted with a counter takedown.
Cell connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Jokinen's hands.
Jokinen motions for Cell to come forward. Jokinen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cell doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Jokinen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cell is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Jokinen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Cell wants to control but Jokinen is keeping busy.
Jokinen wants to pass the guard but Cell is defending well.
Jokinen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Jokinen seems content to control.
Jokinen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Cell wants to control but Jokinen passes into side.
Jokinen trying to control the position but Cell is working away.
Cell takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Cell tries to buck Jokinen off but Jokinen is having none of it.
Jokinen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Jokinen is chipping away with strikes.
Jokinen in side control, throwing shots but Cell defends.
Cell being controlled for a moment.
Cell can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jokinen gets to mount! Cell was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.

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 Ode Jokinen.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jokinen, 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ode Jokinen!
After winning the bout, Ode Jokinen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
In defeat, Stem Cell stepped up to the mic, saying 'Looks like its time for apoptosis.'.