PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 4280 p4p, 415 weight class) and Chocolate Al (ranked 11033 p4p, 619 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Maanpohja
vs
Al

171 cm
42
173 lbs
21 - 38 - 0

188 cm
41
180 lbs
17 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 38 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Chocolate Al!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, William Peck and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Maanpohja or perhaps it was just good defense by Al, which made it look bad.
Al steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Maanpohja.
Al's coach down at The Takeover was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Al's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Al throws a quick inside leg kick.
Maanpohja darts in looking for a takedown but Al gets double underhooks and turns Maanpohja into the cage.
Al scores with a body shot.
Al pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maanpohja shoots in for a double leg but Al sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Al 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 Johannes Maanpohja. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Al changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Maanpohja looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Al trying to control the action but Maanpohja is working from the bottom.
Maanpohja tries to improve position but can't.

Al decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Al digs a good body shot into Maanpohja's ribs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Al moves into range and clinches up with Maanpohja.
Maanpohja wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maanpohja has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Al avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Al breaks from the clinch.
Al stuffs the takedown attempt from Maanpohja. Maanpohja gets slowly back to his feet.
Maanpohja throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Al's waist but Al gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Maanpohja off to one side.

Al dives in and scores a takedown into Maanpohja's guard.
Al is stalling in the full guard.
Maanpohja keeping moving, preventing Al from controlling successfully.
Al is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Al trying to control the position from guard on top but Maanpohja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Maanpohja working for a triangle but Al defends it easily.

Maanpohja is looking for a triangle but Al pushes his legs off easily.

Al decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Maanpohja, up you get!

Al scores with a takedown into Maanpohja's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Al accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Maanpohja is looking for a triangle but Al pushes his legs off easily.
Al seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Al trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Maanpohja looking for a triangle here. Al is fighting it but it looks tight! Maanpohja pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Al is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Johannes Maanpohja!
An out of breath and clearly excited Johannes Maanpohja thanked Fury Nutrition for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).