PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Damien Redman (ranked 2662 p4p, 282 weight class) and Esko Marttinen (ranked 2079 p4p, 221 weight class). Redman comes to the cage accompanied by Put Your Lights On . Marttinen has chosen For Heavy Metal we will die! as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Redman
vs
Marttinen

174 cm
32
169 lbs
25 - 19 - 0

182 cm
30
162 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Damien Redman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esko Marttinen!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Trevor Gratis and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Redman checks a low kick from Marttinen.
Marttinen throws a looping overhand right but Redman ducks down to avoid it.
Marttinen lands a head shot.
Marttinen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Redman checks a leg kick nicely.
Marttinen bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Marttinen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Redman.
Redman finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Marttinen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A lazy body kick from Marttinen
and Redman counters with an outside leg kick.
Redman closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Redman misses with a kick to the body.
Marttinen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jab from Marttinen.
Marttinen throws a sloppy head kick and Redman moves out of range easily.
A quick step to the side and Redman tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marttinen throws the left hand but Redman avoids the punch easily.
Marttinen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Redman.
Redman avoids the head kick by Marttinen.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Marttinen has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Marttinen throws a jab when Redman was well out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Redman lands a nice hook to Marttinen's body. Marttinen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A thudding body kick lands there by Redman!
Marttinen with a nice cross.
Redman fakes the leg kick and cracks Marttinen in the body.
Marttinen tried to score with a low kick but Redman checks it.
Redman looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Marttinen misses with a body shot.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Marttinen, right into the meat.
Redman throws a solid leg kick but Marttinen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Redman.
Redman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Marttinen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Marttinen tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Redman is able to avoid easily.
Good leg kick by Redman there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Marttinen looks for the body kick but Redman saw that one coming.
Redman tries to clinch but Marttinen moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Marttinen fails with the takedown.
Marttinen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Redman.
Marttinen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Esko Marttinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marttinen swinging wildly here.
Marttinen avoids a kick to the body.
Redman misses with a body kick.
Marttinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Redman sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Marttinen sizes up Redman with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Marttinen moves out of range of the body kick from Redman.
Marttinen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Redman. Redman obviously looking to wear him down.
Marttinen feints and then cracks Redman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Redman down.
Marttinen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Redman throws a chopping leg kick but Marttinen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Redman steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Marttinen.
Redman avoids the head kick by Marttinen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redman doesn't manage to clinch there - Marttinen circles away.
Nice defenses there by Redman.
Redman throws a wild body kick that Marttinen sees coming a mile off.
Redman blocks a head kick by Marttinen.
Redman moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Marttinen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Damien Redman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esko Marttinen.
Marttinen throws a hook but Redman blocks it.
Redman scores with a kick to the body.
Marttinen is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Redman had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
A looping hook to the body misses from Marttinen. Redman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Redman tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Marttinen manages to circle out of the way.
Redman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Marttinen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Marttinen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Redman misses with a body kick.
Marttinen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Redman.
Redman ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Redman slips under a jab.
Marttinen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Marttinen takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Redman forces Marttinen back against the cage and clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Marttinen misses with a punch to the body.
Marttinen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Redman looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Redman throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Redman lands a damaging elbow.
Marttinen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Marttinen misses with a punch on the inside.
Redman avoiding damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Redman.
Marttinen blocks the elbow strike.
Marttinen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Redman creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Redman lands an elbow that stopped Marttinen in his tracks for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Marttinen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Redman is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Esko Marttinen will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Marttinen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Marttinen throws out a loose jab but Redman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Redman walks into a stiff left hand from Marttinen.
Redman misses with a kick to the body.
And Marttinen responds with a good body kick, but Redman manages to step out the way in time.
Marttinen throws a solid leg kick but Redman takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Marttinen.
Redman avoids the head kick by Marttinen.
Redman went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Marttinen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Redman's calf.
Redman throws a nice inside leg kick.
Esko Marttinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Marttinen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Redman doesn't seem bothered though.
Redman pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Redman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A big left from Marttinen misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marttinen throws a good cross that connects.
Marttinen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A slapping body kick lands there for Redman.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Redman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Marttinen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Marttinen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Redman if he has to take too many more of those.
Redman swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Marttinen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marttinen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Marttinen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Marttinen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
A nice leg kick lands there from Marttinen.
Redman is looking to wear down Marttinen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Marttinen scores with a jab to the head.

Marttinen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Marttinen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Redman can't do much from the bottom here.
Redman is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Marttinen is controlling him well.
Marttinen trying to control the position but Redman is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Marttinen tries for a kimura but Redman is defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Redman wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Marttinen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Redman, who protects the arm well.
Redman is not content to let Marttinen control the position.
Redman is trying to get back to half guard.
Redman is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redman is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Marttinen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Redman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Marttinen working away.
Marttinen tries to advance to mount but can't.
Marttinen is looking to take a break and control but Redman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Marttinen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Redman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Marttinen wants to control but Redman is keeping him busy.
Redman stops Marttinen from passing to mount.
Marttinen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Redman tries to bench press Marttinen off him but Marttinen keeps the position.

Marttinen goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Redman has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Marttinen but great work by Redman.
Marttinen regains half guard.
Redman controlling the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Marttinen is not content to let Redman control the position.
Marttinen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Redman is working away from the top position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Marttinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A good leg kick by Marttinen.
Redman thumps Marttinen with a low kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Marttinen.
Marttinen lands a jab to the nose.
Redman defending well as Marttinen loads up on a big left hand.
Marttinen shoots for a takedown but Redman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As Marttinen backs away, Redman returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Redman ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Marttinen is looking to land body kicks.
Marttinen is looking to slow Redman down with leg kicks.
Marttinen shoots in but no luck this time.
A big right from Marttinen misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marttinen throws an off balance right hand
and Redman counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A shot to the liver by Marttinen. Beautiful body shot.
Marttinen takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like Esko Marttinen has been cut.
Marttinen has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Redman.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Redman fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Marttinen checks it well.
Redman on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marttinen shoots in but no luck this time.
Damien Redman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Esko Marttinen.
Marttinen fails to land with a series of punches.
Marttinen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Marttinen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Marttinen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Redman throws a quick inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Marttinen.
Marttinen shoots for a double leg takedown but Redman sprawls well. He's pushed Marttinen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Redman is looking to clinch but Marttinen is avoiding it.
Redman fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Damien Redman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Marttinen throws a head kick that misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Marttinen.
A nice inside leg kick there by Redman. That's going to slow Marttinen down.
Marttinen throws a push kick but Redman slaps the foot to one side.
Marttinen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Marttinen connects with a leg kick. Redman looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Redman just misses with a punch to the body.
Marttinen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marttinen throws the left hand but Redman avoids the punch easily.
Redman tried to counter with a leg kick but Marttinen avoided it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marttinen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Redman looks for the body kick but Marttinen saw that one coming.
Redman goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Redman gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Redman is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Marttinen gets through Redman's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Marttinen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Marttinen gets through Redman's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Redman throws an elbow that misses.
Redman lands an elbow inside.
Redman throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Marttinen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Redman backwards.
Marttinen blocks an elbow strike.
Redman misses with an elbow strike.
Marttinen misses with the head strike.
Marttinen throws a head punch that misses.
Redman pushes off an throws an elbow but Marttinen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Damien Redman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Redman blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Marttinen avoids a wild elbow strike from Redman.
Marttinen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Redman throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A head punch on the inside from Marttinen fails to land.
Marttinen misses with some punches.
Marttinen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Damien Redman has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Redman creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Redman is stalling here.
Redman lands an elbow inside.
Marttinen dodges an elbow strike from Redman.

Marttinen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Marttinen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Marttinen throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Redman escapes and throws Marttinen's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Redman decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Redman clinches up against the cage.
Marttinen working aggressively here.
Redman is stalling here.
Marttinen avoids the elbow strike from Redman, against the cage.
Marttinen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Marttinen is trying to drag Redman to the mat but Redman just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Marttinen throws a head punch that misses.
Redman lands a nice elbow.
Redman lands an elbow inside that Marttinen shrugs off.
Marttinen working aggressively here.
Marttinen misses with the head strike.
Marttinen can't find room to land a body shot as Redman controls the action.
Marttinen has a couple of punches blocked by Redman.
Redman misses with an elbow over the top.

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 Damien Redman.
I think Marttinen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esko Marttinen!
Esko Marttinen bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.