PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pekka Pikkarainen (ranked 6202 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arttu Laiho (ranked 23628 p4p, 0 weight class). Arttu Laiho will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Pikkarainen
vs
Laiho

162 cm
18
147 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
21
150 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pekka Pikkarainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arttu Laiho!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laiho throws a nice looking combination but Pikkarainen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pikkarainen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Laiho on the side of the head.
Laiho throws a right and a left that Pikkarainen avoids nicely.
Some wild striking there from Laiho.
Laiho throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pikkarainen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Laiho lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Pikkarainen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Laiho counters with a series of strikes. Pikkarainen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Laiho scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Pekka Pikkarainen has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Pikkarainen moves into the clinch.
Pikkarainen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Pikkarainen has clasped his hands together around Laiho's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Pikkarainen taking a breather here.
Pikkarainen working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pikkarainen controls the position from side control.
Pikkarainen is chipping away with strikes.
Pikkarainen controls the position.
Pikkarainen lands a decent elbow from side control.
Pikkarainen tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Pikkarainen content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laiho takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Pikkarainen lands an elbow.
Pikkarainen taking a breather here.
Pikkarainen cracks Laiho with a big elbow.
Pikkarainen looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Laiho is avoiding damage well.
You can see the frustration on Laiho's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Pikkarainen politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Pikkarainen prefers to stall for the moment though.
Pikkarainen tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Laiho struggling a bit here.
Pikkarainen tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Laiho is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Pikkarainen working the head with strikes.
Pikkarainen gets to mount! Laiho was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
Pikkarainen lands a nice shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen raining down shots from the mount!
Pikkarainen tries to control but Laiho wriggling away.
Laiho tries to hold on but Pikkarainen pushes him away.
Pikkarainen has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Laiho's face.
Pikkarainen working Laiho over with strikes here.
Pikkarainen postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Laiho looks a forlorn figure.
Pikkarainen looking to control but Laiho is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Pikkarainen has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Laiho's face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pekka Pikkarainen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pekka Pikkarainen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pikkarainen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Laiho.
Laiho lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Pikkarainen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pikkarainen just misses with a punch to the body.
Pikkarainen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Laiho.

Pikkarainen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Laiho looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Laiho is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Pikkarainen has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Pikkarainen content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Pekka Pikkarainen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Laiho tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Pikkarainen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laiho tries to escape but Pikkarainen is in control.
Pikkarainen cracks Laiho with a big right hand but Laiho just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Laiho's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Laiho seems a little lost for a moment, as Pikkarainen dominates the positioning.
Pikkarainen 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.
Laiho manages to get back to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Pikkarainen in particular looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laiho trying to control here.
Still in half guard, Pikkarainen seems content to control.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Pikkarainen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Pikkarainen slips a nice elbow through Laiho's hands, connecting with Laiho's forehead.
Pikkarainen takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Pikkarainen connects with a nice short shot to Laiho's temple.
Pikkarainen content to control rather than advance.
Pikkarainen slips a nice elbow through Laiho's hands, connecting with Laiho's forehead.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Pikkarainen lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laiho wants to improve his position but Pikkarainen is controlling well.
Pikkarainen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Pikkarainen stalling.
Laiho wants to control but Pikkarainen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Pikkarainen controlling the action here.
Laiho blocking the ground and pound attempt from Pikkarainen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Pikkarainen connects with a nice short shot to Laiho's temple.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pikkarainen wants to pass to mount but Laiho is defending the position.
Laiho wants to control but Pikkarainen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Pikkarainen lands strikes from half guard.
Laiho is looking for a sweep. Pikkarainen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Laiho trying to control here.
Laiho connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Laiho taking some punishment here, with Pikkarainen in his half guard.
Laiho controlling the position well.
Pikkarainen seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pekka Pikkarainen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Pekka Pikkarainen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Pikkarainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Laiho was well out of range. Poor timing from Pikkarainen.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pikkarainen is defended easily by Laiho.
Laiho fails to land with a series of punches.
Laiho throws a series of punches but Pikkarainen avoids them all with ease.
Arttu Laiho is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Laiho tries to keep at a distance but Pikkarainen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pikkarainen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Laiho is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Laiho wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pikkarainen has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pikkarainen has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Laiho clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Pikkarainen has his opponent's back but Laiho is looking to stand. He manages to get to his feet and shakes off Pikkarainen.
Laiho throws a sloppy head kick and Pikkarainen moves out of range easily.
Pikkarainen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Laiho feints the counter takedown.
Pikkarainen lands a really nice looking cross but Laiho seems unphased.
Pikkarainen takes a jab right on the kisser.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A swing and a miss from Pikkarainen.
Pikkarainen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Laiho can do to turn this around?
Pikkarainen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Laiho as he avoids it easily.
Laiho lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pekka Pikkarainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pikkarainen avoids the head kick by Laiho.
Laiho misses with the combination.
A little feinted left hand from Pikkarainen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pikkarainen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Pikkarainen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Laiho looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Still in half guard, Pikkarainen seems content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laiho trying to control but Pikkarainen postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Pikkarainen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Pikkarainen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Laiho after a bit of a struggle.
Pikkarainen is trying to drag Laiho to the mat but Laiho just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Laiho pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Pikkarainen forces Laiho back against the cage and clinches.
Pikkarainen goes for a takedown attempt but Laiho pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Pikkarainen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pikkarainen showed some decent athleticism there.

Laiho manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Pikkarainen keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pikkarainen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Pikkarainen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Laiho pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Laiho wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Laiho breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Arttu Laiho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pekka Pikkarainen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pikkarainen throws an overhand right that lands on Laiho's shoulder, as Laiho tries to avoid the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arttu Laiho comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pikkarainen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pekka Pikkarainen!