PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Eliitti Paavo (ranked 200 p4p, 11 weight class) and Vincent Oketch (ranked 282 p4p, 16 weight class). Paavo comes to the cage accompanied by Brother Firetribe - Winner Takes It All. Vincent Oketch has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Eliitti Paavo's chin.

Paavo
vs
Oketch

155 cm
30
137 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

170 cm
33
134 lbs
32 - 19 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Aspire Nutrition
Aspire Clothing

Aspire Clothing
Sportivité

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 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Eliitti Paavo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vincent Oketch!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paavo throws a body punch but Oketch moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Paavo.
Oketch shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Paavo sprawls well. Paavo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Oketch gets slowly back to his feet.
Some bone on bone action there as Oketch checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Paavo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Paavo wants it to stay on the feet.
That kick from Paavo tenderised Oketch's leg. Oketch is trying to keep his angry face on.
Paavo throws a body kick that misses.
Oketch appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
A left lands for Paavo.
A slapping leg kick lands for Paavo.
Paavo throws a jab but it's blocked by Oketch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paavo cracks Oketch with a right hand to the side of the head.
Paavo throws a lazy right hand but Oketch sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And Oketch tries to counter it with a takedown but Paavo pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Paavo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Oketch.
Paavo just misses with a punch to the body.
Paavo smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paavo leaves Oketch with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Eliitti Paavo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vincent Oketch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Paavo.
Paavo tries a low kick but Oketch avoids it.
Paavo throws a lazy head kick
and Oketch counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Paavo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Paavo misses with a low kick.
Eliitti Paavo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice sprawl there from Paavo as Oketch shoots in.
Paavo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Oketch looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Paavo is fending him off so far but Oketch persists. Nope, Paavo circles away and we're back to standing.
Paavo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Paavo throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Oketch sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Paavo connects with a high kick.
Paavo bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Paavo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Oketch blocks a head kick by Paavo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paavo catches Oketch with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Eliitti Paavo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Paavo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Oketch looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Oketch checks a leg kick.
Paavo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Oketch.
Oketch avoids the head kick by Paavo.
Paavo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Paavo throws a sloppy head kick and Oketch moves out of range easily.
Paavo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Paavo moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Paavo tries to land a leg kick but Oketch saw it coming and moves away.
Oketch shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Paavo defends it nicely.
Oketch shoots for a takedown but Paavo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Paavo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Oketch's head backwards.
Paavo cracks Oketch with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Oketch takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Paavo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paavo lands a leg kick that knocks Oketch off balance momentarily.
Paavo throws a low kick but Oketch moves out of range easily.
Oketch blocks a low kick nicely.
Oketch was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Paavo throws a sloppy body shot
and Oketch counters with a low kick, right behind Paavo 's knee.
Oketch on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

Oketch looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Paavo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Paavo trying to keep a closed guard but Oketch is proving a slippery customer.
Oketch trying to control the position from guard on top but Paavo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Paavo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Paavo is trying to control the position but Oketch postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paavo wants to stand but Oketch is controlling the position.
Oketch advances to half guard.
Paavo tries to get to full guard but Oketch has control of the leg.
Paavo is working hard here to advance position.
Paavo gets full guard.
Paavo wants to sweep but no luck.
Paavo trying to keep a closed guard but Oketch is proving a slippery customer.
Paavo has his hands on Oketch's head, controlling the position.

Oketch is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
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.

A decent looking cross lands there for Paavo.
Oketch takes one to the side of the head.
Oketch on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Eliitti Paavo is winning the standup battle so far.
Paavo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Paavo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Oketch.
Paavo missing with a left hand there. Oketch was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Paavo motions for Oketch to come forward. Paavo throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Paavo misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paavo lands a jab to the head.
Paavo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A jab from Paavo misses.
Paavo leaves Oketch with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Paavo finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paavo connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Paavo lands a body shot.
Paavo looks to land a right hand but Oketch moved out of range.
That kick from Paavo tenderised Oketch's leg. Oketch is trying to keep his angry face on.
Paavo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Oketch is defended easily by Paavo.
Paavo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Eliitti Paavo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vincent Oketch.
Paavo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Paavo thows a leg kick but Oketch checks it
and Oketch counters with a nice leg kick.

Paavo gets caught flat footed, as Oketch shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Paavo pushes Oketch off and scrambles back to his feet.
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!
Oketch takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paavo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Oketch.
Paavo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Paavo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Oketch. That did some damage!
A jab lands there for Paavo.
Oketch ducks under a wild hook from Paavo.
Paavo throws a leg kick but Oketch sees it coming and moves out of range.
Paavo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Paavo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Paavo misses with a hook
and Oketch counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Oketch will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Paavo is looking for a counter combo.
Oketch shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Paavo pinned against the cage. Paavo gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Oketch checks a low kick from Paavo.
Oketch only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Paavo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paavo throws a body shot but no joy.
Paavo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Oketch manages to avoid it.

Oketch shoots in and bounces Paavo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Paavo manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Paavo.
Oketch has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Paavo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Oketch is looking for a takedown.
Paavo lands a left hand.

Oketch wants the takedown. Paavo is fighting it off but Oketch persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Paavo's guard against the cage.
Paavo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
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!
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Paavo is on top in guard.

Oketch is breathing heavily.
Paavo trying to control the position from guard on top but Oketch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paavo pushes down on Oketch's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Paavo seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Paavo is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Oketch defends it well.
Oketch wants to control but Paavo is keeping busy.

Oketch looking for submissions off his back.

Oketch looking for submissions off his back.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Paavo cracks Oketch with an open hand slap.
Paavo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Paavo tests Oketch's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paavo misses the body punch
and Oketch counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Oketch looking to score a takedown here. Paavo is defending well but Oketch drives through and ends up in Paavo's guard.

Paavo scrambles and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Oketch shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Paavo as he avoids it easily.
Oketch moves out of range of the leg kick from Paavo.
Paavo scores with a nice head shot.
Paavo scores with a jab to the jaw.
A slapping leg kick lands for Paavo.
Paavo lands a jab.
Paavo feints and then cracks Oketch's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Oketch down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oketch shoots for a takedown but Paavo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jab by Paavo.
Oketch fails to land the takedown.
Eliitti Paavo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vincent Oketch.
Oketch takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Paavo connects with a leg kick. Oketch looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Paavo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Oketch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Oketch. Paavo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice cross by Paavo.
Oketch on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Paavo connects with a looping right hand.
That kick from Paavo tenderised Oketch's leg. Oketch is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice uppercut lands for Paavo. That snapped Oketch's head back.
Oketch uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Paavo.
Paavo loads up on a big right hand but Oketch slips the punch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Oketch! But no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oketch dives in and grabs Paavo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Paavo pushes down on Oketch's head and hops out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paavo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Paavo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Oketch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Paavo tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Oketch is able to avoid easily.
Paavo throws a lazy right hand but Oketch sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Oketch misses with a few strikes there.
Horrible takedown attempt by Oketch or perhaps it was just good defense by Paavo, which made it look bad.
Paavo connects with the punch.
A leg kick checked by Paavo.
Oketch lands with a thumping leg kick.
Paavo lands with an overhand left.
Oketch misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paavo.
Paavo connects with a jab.
Vincent Oketch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oketch throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Paavo's waist but Paavo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Oketch off to one side.
A telegraphed right hand from Oketch misses the target.
Paavo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Paavo fails to land with a series of punches.
Paavo feints and then cracks Oketch's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Oketch down.
Oketch is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Paavo misses with a low kick as Oketch jumps back.
Paavo lunges at Oketch with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Oketch's hand.
Oketch is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A good leg kick by Paavo.
A slow jab from Paavo misses its intended target.
Oketch feints a counter leg kick.
Paavo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Paavo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Paavo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paavo cracks the inside of Oketch's front leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paavo swings for the body but Oketch moves out of range.
Oketch was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A nice leg kick lands there from Paavo.
Paavo connects with an inside leg kick.
Paavo throws a half hearted mid kick.
A good leg kick by Paavo.
Oketch displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Paavo throws out the jab.
Oketch has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Paavo cracks the inside of Oketch's front leg.
Oketch looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice shot by Paavo.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Oketch blocks a jab.
Paavo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Paavo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Oketch's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Paavo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eliitti Paavo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Paavo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eliitti Paavo!
After the fight, Eliitti Paavo was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.