PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Esa Kettu (ranked 1259 p4p, 161 weight class) and Joseph OByrne (ranked 893 p4p, 114 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kettu
vs
OByrne

179 cm
25
159 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

175 cm
26
159 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Esa Kettu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joseph OByrne!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kettu crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from OByrne - the referee stops the clock and Kettu gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says OByrne. Kettu manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
OByrne goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Joseph OByrne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

OByrne fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kettu, pushing him back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Kettu.

OByrne breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kettu misses with a looping left.
And OByrne responds with a good body kick, but Kettu manages to step out the way in time.
OByrne's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kettu under the eye.
Kettu's jab looks to have found its range, popping OByrne under the eye.
Kettu misses with an uppercut.
OByrne misses with a body kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kettu. That's going to slow OByrne down.
Kettu swings for the body but OByrne moves out of range.
OByrne is trying to counter with his kicks.
Kettu punishes OByrne's body with a nice straight punch.
Kettu throws a lazy right hand but OByrne sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
OByrne takes one on the chin but seems OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kettu throws a sloppy head kick and OByrne moves out of range easily.
OByrne throws out a counter right but Kettu avoids it with no problem.
Kettu checks a leg kick.
OByrne moves out of range of the body kick from Kettu.
OByrne throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by OByrne there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kettu throws an off balance right hand
and OByrne finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
OByrne keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kettu is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
OByrne lands a nice hook to Kettu's body. Kettu takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kettu. OByrne does a little dance to reset his feet.
OByrne slips a straight right by Kettu.

OByrne has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kettu blocks a body shot from OByrne.
Kettu swings wildly with an uppercut but OByrne uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kettu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kettu misses with some punches.
Kettu looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
OByrne lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A body shot lands from OByrne.
Nice body punch from Kettu - that landed with a thud.
Kettu swings wildly with an uppercut but OByrne uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kettu has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OByrne blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kettu tries a body shot but OByrne blocks it.
OByrne misses with a body punch.
Kettu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kettu misses with a short punch on the inside.
OByrne blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
OByrne lands a hook that snaps the head of Kettu backwards.
Kettu misses with a hook from the clinch.
OByrne lands a shoulder strike.

OByrne breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Kettu. That snapped OByrne's head back.
Kettu has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by OByrne.
OByrne throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kettu counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kettu throws a body kick that misses.
OByrne thuds his shin into the meat of Kettu's side.
OByrne looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A clash of legs there as Kettu blocks the low kick.
OByrne throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OByrne keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
OByrne scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kettu doesn't seem bothered though.
Kettu misses with a body shot.
It seemed like OByrne was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Kettu loads up on a big right hand but OByrne slips the punch.
OByrne scores with a decent looking hook.
OByrne misses with a body shot.
OByrne blocks a jab.
Kettu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from OByrne.
OByrne blocks a jab.
Kettu throws a lazy right hand but OByrne sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kettu on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Kettu slips a jab and a cross from OByrne.
OByrne tries a low kick but Kettu avoids it.
Kettu is looking to score with low kicks.
OByrne throws a solid leg kick but Kettu takes the impact on his shin and smiles at OByrne.
OByrne ducks under a wild hook from Kettu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kettu swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kettu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
OByrne pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kettu is out of range and OByrne settles back down.
Kettu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
OByrne throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kettu stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
OByrne catches Kettu with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
OByrne connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nice defenses there by Kettu.
Kettu moves out of range of the leg kick from OByrne.
Kettu throws a hook but OByrne avoids it easily.
OByrne chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kettu can pounce on him.
OByrne avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
OByrne tries a quick counter leg kick but Kettu is wise to it.
Kettu moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kettu lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kettu.
OByrne lands with a shot to the body.
Kettu scores with a decent looking hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joseph OByrne will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

OByrne tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kettu on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by OByrne. OByrne obviously looking to wear him down.
OByrne lands with a right hand.
OByrne throws a leg kick but Kettu sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kettu throws a leg kick but OByrne sees it coming and checks it nicely.
OByrne lands a lovely overhand right.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
OByrne lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kettu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
OByrne lands with a light punch inside.

OByrne escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kettu. OByrne does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kettu lands a jab to the nose.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kettu misses with an uppercut
and OByrne counters with a nice body shot.
OByrne fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kettu checks it well.
Kettu misses with a looping right.
OByrne lands with a nice body punch.
Kettu will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OByrne circles away from the clinch attempt.
OByrne avoids a kick to the body.
Kettu tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kettu lets loose with a powerful body kick. OByrne will feel that in the morning.
OByrne misses with a body kick.
OByrne looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kettu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Joseph OByrne seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kettu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kettu misses the shot to the body.
OByrne feints and then cracks Kettu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kettu down.
OByrne has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Kettu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
OByrne throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A thudding body kick lands there by OByrne!
Kettu blocks a low kick nicely.
OByrne throws a body kick that misses.
A solid body kick from Kettu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OByrne bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kettu takes a swing at OByrne's ribcage but misses.
OByrne fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A big right from Kettu misses.
Kettu attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
OByrne tries to land a leg kick but Kettu saw it coming and moves away.
Kettu misses with an uppercut. OByrne saw that one coming.
OByrne doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
OByrne fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
OByrne throws a jab but it's blocked by Kettu.
OByrne bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kettu throws a leg kick but OByrne sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kettu looks to throw the jab but OByrne is out of range.

Kettu clinches.
Kettu gets through OByrne's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kettu can't find room to land a body shot as OByrne controls the action.
Kettu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
OByrne blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kettu works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kettu tries to throw a body punch but OByrne avoids it by throwing Kettu back against the cage.
OByrne tries a body shot but Kettu blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for OByrne.
OByrne scores with a shoulder strike.
Kettu lands an uppercut.
Kettu throws a head punch that misses.
Kettu blocks a body shot from OByrne.
Kettu gets through OByrne's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from Kettu.
OByrne lands a nice shot to the body.
OByrne doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kettu lands a nice uppercut.
Kettu misses with a short punch on the inside.
OByrne lands with a right to the head.
Kettu swings wildly with an uppercut but OByrne uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kettu blocks the elbow strike.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kettu tries to throw a body punch but OByrne avoids it by throwing Kettu back against the cage.
OByrne blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kettu lands a body punch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head punch on the inside from OByrne fails to land.
Kettu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
OByrne lands a left hand.
OByrne softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
OByrne is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kettu is keeping busy.
Kettu working aggressively here.
Kettu blocks a body shot from OByrne.
OByrne misses with a punch to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, OByrne just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kettu's brow.
Kettu lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kettu.
Kettu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by OByrne.
OByrne lands a shoulder strike.
OByrne blocking some punches.
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 Esa Kettu will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A jab from Kettu misses.
OByrne throws a wild body kick that Kettu sees coming a mile off.
Kettu avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A punch combination from OByrne misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Kettu misses the target.
Kettu misses with a body shot.
Kettu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kettu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good exchange - OByrne coming out on top.
A swing and a miss from OByrne.
OByrne tries to land a body kick
and Kettu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Joseph OByrne has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kettu throws a looping overhand right but OByrne ducks down to avoid it.
OByrne tries to clinch there but Kettu circles away.
OByrne throws a body shot but no joy.
OByrne misses with a head kick.
OByrne is looking to land body kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kettu lands a leg kick that knocks OByrne off balance momentarily.
OByrne swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kettu takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kettu throws an overhand right that lands on OByrne's shoulder, as OByrne tries to avoid the shot.
OByrne bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kettu's head.
Kettu lands a head kick. OByrne smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kettu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kettu misses with a wild body shot.
Kettu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but OByrne moves away.
OByrne connects with an inside leg kick.
Kettu throws a sloppy head kick and OByrne moves out of range easily.
Kettu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kettu takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kettu throws a hook but OByrne avoids it easily.
OByrne throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OByrne tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kettu is able to avoid easily.
OByrne looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
OByrne scoring well with a low kick there.
Kettu ducks right into an uppercut from OByrne.
OByrne scores with a jab.
OByrne fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kettu manages to avoid it.
Kettu was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
OByrne swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kettu misses with a low kick.
OByrne slips under a jab.
Kettu throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A little jabbing left from OByrne on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

OByrne gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A left hand lands to the body for OByrne.
Kettu has a couple of punches blocked by OByrne.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kettu.
Kettu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kettu scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OByrne throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kettu swings wildly with an uppercut but OByrne uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kettu working aggressively here.
Kettu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with OByrne's elbow.
Kettu lands on the inside with an uppercut.
OByrne is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kettu is keeping busy.
Kettu blocking some punches.
OByrne tries a body shot but Kettu blocks it.
OByrne misses with a punch on the inside.
OByrne lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
OByrne prevents a body shot from Kettu.
OByrne lands a left hand.
Kettu misses with a hook from the clinch.
OByrne blocking some punches.
Kettu misses with the head strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from OByrne.

Kettu breaks the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OByrne misses with a low kick.
OByrne listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
OByrne with a nice cross.

OByrne has closed the distance and engaged Kettu in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
OByrne digs a right hand underneath Kettu's ribcage. Kettu let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kettu misses with the head strike.
Kettu throws a head punch that misses.
Kettu scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kettu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kettu.
OByrne misses with a short punch on the inside.
OByrne misses with some punches.
Kettu working aggressively here.
Kettu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
OByrne struggles to land a body shot inside as Kettu controls his hands.
Kettu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right from Kettu on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Joseph OByrne.
I think OByrne 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Joseph OByrne!
Joseph OByrne seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.