PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vertti Ekstrovertti (ranked 2537 p4p, 288 weight class) and Michael Jackson (ranked 4339 p4p, 441 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ekstrovertti
vs
Jackson

190 cm
26
194 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

191 cm
26
190 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

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 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vertti Ekstrovertti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Michael Jackson!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jackson closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jackson.
A short right from Jackson.
Jackson throws a head punch that misses.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ekstrovertti tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jackson misses with some punches.
Jackson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ekstrovertti blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jackson has a couple of punches blocked by Ekstrovertti.
Jackson being controlled against the cage.
Ekstrovertti misses with a punch on the inside.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekstrovertti blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Come on Ekstrovertti - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ekstrovertti blocks an uppercut.
Jackson lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Jackson fails to land.
Jackson working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Ekstrovertti scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Jackson fails to land.
Ekstrovertti makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Ekstrovertti on the inside.
Ekstrovertti works on Jackson's body with a couple of short punches.
Ekstrovertti blocking some punches.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Jackson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jackson misses with some punches.
Ekstrovertti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ekstrovertti misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Jackson fails to land.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ekstrovertti - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ekstrovertti is trying to stall.
Ekstrovertti will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Jackson up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jackson misses with a punch on the inside.
Ekstrovertti takes a shot to the head.
A body shot lands from Ekstrovertti.
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!
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekstrovertti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Still in the clinch, Ekstrovertti scores with a nice short uppercut.
Jackson misses with some punches.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jackson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson misses with a punch on the inside.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ekstrovertti is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Jackson is keeping busy.
Jackson blocking some punches.
Ekstrovertti leaning against his opponent.
Jackson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The referee calls for Ekstrovertti to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Ekstrovertti.
Jackson misses with a punch on the inside.
Jackson misses with the head strike.
Jackson working aggressively here.
Ekstrovertti lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Ekstrovertti fails to land.
Jackson gets through Ekstrovertti's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Jackson fails to land.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Jackson lands a hook that snaps the head of Ekstrovertti backwards.

Ekstrovertti's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ekstrovertti's jab looks to have found its range, popping Jackson under the eye.
Ekstrovertti comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Jackson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jackson fails in his attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jackson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ekstrovertti.
Michael Jackson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ekstrovertti fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Jackson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ekstrovertti.
Jackson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ekstrovertti.
Jackson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ekstrovertti can pounce on him.

Jackson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ekstrovertti, pushing him back against the cage.
Jackson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti lands a body shot in the clinch.
Jackson working aggressively here.
Jackson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson misses with the head strike.
Jackson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ekstrovertti blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jackson working aggressively here.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jackson misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jackson tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Ekstrovertti to counter with a crisp jab.
Jackson moves in looking to clinch but Ekstrovertti pushes him off.

Jackson darts in and clinches Ekstrovertti up against the cage.
Jackson has a couple of punches blocked by Ekstrovertti.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti swings wildly with an uppercut but Jackson uses good head movement to avoid it.
A head punch on the inside from Jackson fails to land.
Jackson blocking some punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekstrovertti takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jackson.
Ekstrovertti stalling the fight.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Jackson as Ekstrovertti tries to tie him up.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jackson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti gets through Jackson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ekstrovertti working aggressively here.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ekstrovertti blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ekstrovertti doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ekstrovertti blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jackson letting Ekstrovertti take a breather here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jackson.
Jackson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ekstrovertti misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jackson.
Ekstrovertti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jackson's elbow.
Ekstrovertti presses Jackson against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekstrovertti.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekstrovertti uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ekstrovertti.
Jackson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ekstrovertti lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ekstrovertti misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ekstrovertti blocking some punches.
Jackson lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Ekstrovertti backwards.
Michael Jackson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ekstrovertti lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Jackson backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ekstrovertti controlling the action here for a moment.
Nice body punch from Ekstrovertti.
Jackson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jackson working aggressively here.
Ekstrovertti taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ekstrovertti has a couple of punches blocked by Jackson.

Ekstrovertti escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ekstrovertti pushes Jackson up against the cage in a clinch.
Ekstrovertti tries to stall but Jackson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Jackson lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ekstrovertti breaks from the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A shot to the liver by Ekstrovertti. Beautiful body shot.
Jackson moves in looking to clinch but Ekstrovertti pushes him off.
Ekstrovertti throws a head kick that misses.
Ekstrovertti avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jackson walks into a straight right hand from Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ekstrovertti bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Jackson's head.
Jackson tries to clinch but Ekstrovertti is having none of it.
Ekstrovertti throws a sloppy head kick and Jackson moves out of range easily.
Jackson's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Ekstrovertti connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Jackson scrambles back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Ekstrovertti. Those never looked like landing.
Jackson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ekstrovertti jabs Jackson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
It looks like Ekstrovertti has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Good exchange - Ekstrovertti coming out on top.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ekstrovertti tries a head kick but it misses.
Ekstrovertti scores with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jackson is looking to clinch.
Jackson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ekstrovertti manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ekstrovertti lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Jackson tries to clinch
and Ekstrovertti connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Jackson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Jackson tries to clinch up.
Jackson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Vertti Ekstrovertti is winning the standup battle so far.
A left lands for Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti throws a leg kick which misses Jackson's front leg but catches the back leg as Jackson tries to avoid it.
Jackson tries to clinch but Ekstrovertti moves away
and Ekstrovertti counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ekstrovertti lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Jackson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ekstrovertti manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jackson wants to clinch up but Ekstrovertti keeps it at a distance.
Ekstrovertti lands a right hook to the body.
Ekstrovertti is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jackson can do to turn this around?
Ekstrovertti scores with a hook to the body. Jackson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Jackson wants to clinch up but Ekstrovertti keeps it at a distance.
Ekstrovertti scores with a shot to the body.
Jackson is breathing heavily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ekstrovertti!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jackson wants to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vertti Ekstrovertti dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ekstrovertti feints and then cracks Jackson's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Jackson down.
Nice uppercut there from Ekstrovertti.
Jackson tries to clinch but Ekstrovertti moves out of range.
Ekstrovertti connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ekstrovertti connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Jackson clinches up with Ekstrovertti and pushes him back against the cage.
Jackson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A head punch on the inside from Jackson fails to land.
Jackson blocks a body shot from Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ekstrovertti scores with a nice hook to the head.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ekstrovertti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Jackson's elbow.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ekstrovertti stalling in the clinch.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekstrovertti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ekstrovertti will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Jackson up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti stalling against the cage.
Ekstrovertti lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ekstrovertti working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekstrovertti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jackson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ekstrovertti lands an uppercut.
Ekstrovertti tries a body shot but Jackson blocks it.
A short left from Jackson.
A head punch on the inside from Ekstrovertti fails to land.
Ekstrovertti blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ekstrovertti lands a left hand.
Ekstrovertti holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Jackson throws a head punch that misses.
Jackson swings wildly with an uppercut but Ekstrovertti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Michael Jackson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jackson throws a punch but it's blocked by Ekstrovertti.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ekstrovertti.
Jackson has a couple of punches blocked by Ekstrovertti.
Jackson pushes Ekstrovertti back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jackson lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ekstrovertti backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ekstrovertti stalling.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Jackson misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti lands with a right to the head.
Jackson pushes Ekstrovertti back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ekstrovertti stalling against the cage.
Ekstrovertti lands a left hand.
Ekstrovertti blocking some punches.
Jackson misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti lands a body punch in the clinch.
Jackson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ekstrovertti tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Ekstrovertti breaks the clinch.
Ekstrovertti lands with a nice body kick.
Jackson wants to clinch up but Ekstrovertti keeps it at a distance.
Jackson throws the left hand but Ekstrovertti avoids the punch easily.
A quick step to the side and Ekstrovertti tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
A shot to the liver by Ekstrovertti. Beautiful body shot.
Ekstrovertti keeps the fight on the outside.
Ekstrovertti ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jackson moves away.
Ekstrovertti scores with a jab to the jaw.

Ekstrovertti shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Jackson's guard.
Our spies down at at Kalashnikov ELITE MMA Gym ($825/Week) inform us that Jackson has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Jackson is striking but Ekstrovertti is not phased and passes to half guard.
Ekstrovertti keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Jackson is staying active underneath Ekstrovertti, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ekstrovertti scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ground and pound from Ekstrovertti.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Ekstrovertti seems content to control.

Ekstrovertti is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Jackson throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Ekstrovertti is working for a submission of some sort.
Jackson misses with some strikes from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ekstrovertti lands a nice short elbow.
Jackson missing with punches from the bottom.
Ekstrovertti drops an elbow to the side of Jackson's head.
Vertti Ekstrovertti is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Jackson is thowing punches from the bottom. Ekstrovertti grabs hold of a loose arm and pivots for an armbar! It's tight and Jackson has to tap! Superb work there from Ekstrovertti!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Vertti Ekstrovertti!
Vertti Ekstrovertti decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.