PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jay Gatsby (ranked 243 p4p, 30 weight class) and Lauri Pekkarinen (ranked 454 p4p, 58 weight class). Pekkarinen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by For Heavy Metal we will die!. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gatsby
vs
Pekkarinen

175 cm
38
193 lbs
31 - 18 - 0

188 cm
32
193 lbs
20 - 8 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jay Gatsby!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lauri Pekkarinen!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Gatsby misses the target.
Gatsby is looking to clinch.
Pekkarinen flicks out a counter leg kick but Gatsby steps away.
Gatsby displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pekkarinen throws out the jab.

Gatsby clinches up against the cage.
Pekkarinen wants to break free but Gatsby has control.
Gatsby swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Gatsby tries to throw a body punch but Pekkarinen avoids it by throwing Gatsby back against the cage.
Gatsby misses with a punch to the body.
Gatsby throws a head punch that misses.
Gatsby cracks Pekkarinen with a nice body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen misses with some punches.
Pekkarinen is looking to break free of the clinch but Gatsby has double underhooks.
I was talking to Gatsby's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Gatsby lands a shoulder strike.
Pekkarinen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pekkarinen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Gatsby.
Pekkarinen looks winded!
Pekkarinen blocking some punches.

Pekkarinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Gatsby moves out of range of the body kick from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Pekkarinen 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Gatsby. Those never looked like landing.
Gatsby fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Gatsby works the jab nicely.

It looks like Lauri Pekkarinen has been cut.

Gatsby gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Pekkarinen.
Gatsby blocking some punches.
Pekkarinen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Gatsby lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pekkarinen backwards.
Gatsby misses with a punch to the body.
Gatsby misses with a short punch on the inside.
Gatsby working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Gatsby throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Gatsby tries a body shot but Pekkarinen blocks it.

Pekkarinen has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Gatsby regains guard immediately.
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!
Gatsby lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Gatsby scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby 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.
Pekkarinen wants to sweep here but Gatsby controlling him for the moment.
Gatsby landing with the ground and pound.
Gatsby wants to control from the top but Pekkarinen keeps moving.
Gatsby might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Pekkarinen wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Gatsby is now in half guard.

Pekkarinen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gatsby pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gatsby drops an elbow to the side of Pekkarinen's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby is nestled in close to Pekkarinen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Pekkarinen has hold of Gatsby's hands but Gatsby slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Pekkarinen wants to improve his position but Gatsby is controlling well.
Pekkarinen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gatsby is working away from the top position though.
Gatsby drops an elbow to the side of Pekkarinen's head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gatsby lands a nice short elbow.
Still in half guard, Gatsby seems content to control.
Gatsby is looking to take a break and control but Pekkarinen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pekkarinen is trying to maintain the position but Gatsby is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby trying to control from half guard but Pekkarinen is working away.
Pekkarinen is looking for a sweep. Gatsby is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Gatsby working over Pekkarinen with some ground and pound. Pekkarinen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Pekkarinen is looking to improve his position.
Pekkarinen manages to get to full guard.

Pekkarinen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gatsby defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jay Gatsby dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lauri Pekkarinen's cut.
That's time! Gatsby's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Gatsby lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gatsby.
Pekkarinen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Pekkarinen throws out a loose jab but Gatsby uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Pekkarinen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nice shot by Gatsby.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gatsby has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Gatsby lands the left hand.
Pekkarinen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pekkarinen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Pekkarinen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gatsby misses with a straight left.
Pekkarinen misses with a looping right.
Gatsby fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gatsby connects with the punch.
Gatsby tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pekkarinen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Gatsby pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Pekkarinen back to the cage. Gatsby follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Gatsby misses with a lunging right hand
and Pekkarinen counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gatsby takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Pekkarinen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gatsby's calf.
A cross from Pekkarinen lands.
Gatsby staying out of range there.
Gatsby is looking to counter the offense by Pekkarinen and move into the clinch.
Gatsby throws a half hearted mid kick.
Gatsby is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Pekkarinen can do to turn this around?
Pekkarinen with a nice cross.
Pekkarinen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A lazy body kick from Pekkarinen
and Gatsby counters with a straight right hand.
Lauri Pekkarinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pekkarinen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Pekkarinen throws a looping overhand right but Gatsby ducks down to avoid it.
Jay Gatsby is winning the standup battle so far.
Gatsby is looking to slow Pekkarinen down with leg kicks.
Pekkarinen throws a looping overhand right but Gatsby ducks down to avoid it.
Pekkarinen misses with a looping left.
Gatsby is looking to clinch but Pekkarinen is avoiding it.
Pekkarinen looks to throw the jab but Gatsby is out of range.
Gatsby moves away from the strike by Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gatsby takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gatsby throws a good cross that connects.

That has opened up Lauri Pekkarinen's cut even more.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen motions for Gatsby to come forward. Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Gatsby throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Gatsby gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Pekkarinen blocks an uppercut.

Pekkarinen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gatsby checks a leg kick.
Pekkarinen scores with a leg kick.
Pekkarinen lands a leg kick that knocks Gatsby off balance momentarily.
Gatsby wants to clinch.
Pekkarinen throws a hook but Gatsby avoids it easily.
Gatsby is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Pekkarinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gatsby moves away.

Gatsby manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Pekkarinen on his heels. He'll look to pass Pekkarinen's guard now, I'm sure.
Gatsby stands up over Pekkarinen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Gatsby lands a couple of digs.
Gatsby stopping the sweep attempt from Pekkarinen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gatsby cracks Pekkarinen with a solid left hand.
Gatsby with a nice head shot there.
Gatsby is working Pekkarinen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Pekkarinen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gatsby is one step ahead there.
Gatsby lands a couple of elbows.
Pekkarinen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Pekkarinen has momentary wrist control but Gatsby slips an elbow through the middle.
Gatsby stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pekkarinen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Gatsby scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pekkarinen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Gatsby defends it easily.
Pekkarinen looking to control.
Pekkarinen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Pekkarinen throwing strikes but missing.
Pekkarinen wants to control from the top but Gatsby keeps moving.
Pekkarinen preventing the sweep.
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 Jay Gatsby will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lauri Pekkarinen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Gatsby staying out of range there.

Gatsby gets a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pekkarinen.
Gatsby misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pekkarinen.

Pekkarinen breaks the clinch.
Pekkarinen loads up on a big right hand but Gatsby slips the punch.
Gatsby tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pekkarinen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pekkarinen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Gatsby checks it well.
Pekkarinen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Pekkarinen misses with a head kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pekkarinen. That's going to slow Gatsby down.

Gatsby gets a clinch.
Jay Gatsby has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gatsby misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gatsby lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pekkarinen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Pekkarinen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pekkarinen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gatsby has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Pekkarinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pekkarinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good exchange - Gatsby coming out on top.
Gatsby takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Gatsby throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gatsby scores with a crisp jab that stopped Pekkarinen in his tracks.
A slow jab from Pekkarinen misses its intended target.
Pekkarinen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Pekkarinen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gatsby lands a jab to the head.

Pekkarinen is rocked!
Gatsby scoring well with a low kick there.
Pekkarinen is still on wobbly legs! Can Gatsby finish him?
Pekkarinen gets caught by a big overhand right and goes down! Gatsby gets on top of him and starts throwing some serious punches until the ref intervenes and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jay Gatsby!
In his post fight interview, Jay Gatsby gave a big smile as he said 'My life, old sport, my life... my life has got to be like this... It's got to keep going on.'.