PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lauri Pekkarinen (ranked 935 p4p, 137 weight class) and Gustaf Stenbeck (ranked 1443 p4p, 206 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.

Pekkarinen
vs
Stenbeck

188 cm
34
193 lbs
22 - 11 - 2

180 cm
34
192 lbs
21 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 22 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lauri Pekkarinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gustaf Stenbeck!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stenbeck lands a jab to the nose.

It looks like Lauri Pekkarinen has been cut.
Pekkarinen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Stenbeck gets caught flat footed, as Pekkarinen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Pekkarinen throwing strikes but missing.
Pekkarinen stopping the sweep attempt from Stenbeck.
Pekkarinen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Stenbeck is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Stenbeck tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Still in half guard, Stenbeck seems content to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenbeck moves nicely into side control.

Stenbeck stands up and beckons Pekkarinen to his feet.
Pekkarinen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stenbeck can pounce on him.
Stenbeck throws a lazy right hand but Pekkarinen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pekkarinen wants to land a leg kick but Stenbeck is out of range.
Stenbeck tries a quick counter leg kick but Pekkarinen is wise to it.
Pekkarinen looks to land a right hand but Stenbeck moved out of range.
Stenbeck throws an overhand right that lands on Pekkarinen's shoulder, as Pekkarinen tries to avoid the shot.
Stenbeck misses with a hook to the body
and Pekkarinen counters with an outside leg kick.
Stenbeck keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pekkarinen throws a low kick but Stenbeck avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stenbeck swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stenbeck throws an off balance right hand
letting Pekkarinen counter with a right hand.
Pekkarinen fails to land with a series of punches.
Pekkarinen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pekkarinen throws a lazy uppercut
and Stenbeck counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Pekkarinen misses with a low kick as Stenbeck jumps back.
Pekkarinen looks to land a left hand but Stenbeck moved out of range nicely.
Stenbeck pulls out of a head kick attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stenbeck moves out of range as Pekkarinen strikes.
Stenbeck is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Pekkarinen with a body shot.
Pekkarinen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stenbeck! But no joy.
A head kick by Pekkarinen misses
and Stenbeck counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Pekkarinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pekkarinen is looking to score with low kicks.
Stenbeck connects with a right hand. Pekkarinen shakes it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenbeck misses with a low kick as Pekkarinen jumps back.
Stenbeck throws a lazy uppercut
and Pekkarinen counters with a leg kick.
Pekkarinen misses the shot to the body.
Pekkarinen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Stenbeck tries to land a leg kick but Pekkarinen saw it coming and moves away.
Pekkarinen throws a body shot but no joy.
Pekkarinen avoids the body shot from Stenbeck.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pekkarinen, right into the meat.
Pekkarinen throws a front kick that sends Stenbeck stumbling back into the cage.
A combination from Pekkarinen does no damage.
Pekkarinen connects with a high kick.
Pekkarinen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Pekkarinen misses the shot to the body.
Stenbeck just misses with a punch to the body.
Pekkarinen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen throws a body kick that misses.
Pekkarinen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Stenbeck throws out a loose jab but Pekkarinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A combination from Stenbeck does no damage.
Pekkarinen looks to land a left hand but Stenbeck moved out of range nicely.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Stenbeck checks a leg kick.
Stenbeck connects with an inside leg kick.
Stenbeck slips a jab and a cross from Pekkarinen.
We've been told by Pekkarinen's head coaches at The Jungle Room that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Pekkarinen misses with a kick to the body.
Stenbeck misses the shot to the body.
Pekkarinen misses the shot to the body.
Stenbeck swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Pekkarinen tries to work over Stenbeck's front leg with a kick but Stenbeck checks it.
A clash of legs there as Pekkarinen blocks the low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lauri Pekkarinen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lauri Pekkarinen's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stenbeck looks to land a right hand but Pekkarinen moved out of range.
Stenbeck fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Pekkarinen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Pekkarinen misses with a body kick.
Stenbeck moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Stenbeck throws a looping overhand right but Pekkarinen ducks down to avoid it.
Pekkarinen throws a quick counter kick to the body but Stenbeck avoids it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Pekkarinen.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Pekkarinen checks a low kick from Stenbeck.
A little feinted left hand from Pekkarinen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Pekkarinen moves forwards but Stenbeck connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stenbeck throws a quick inside leg kick.
Stenbeck lands a jab.
Stenbeck misses with a wild body shot.
Stenbeck throws a looping overhand right but Pekkarinen ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pekkarinen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Stenbeck.
Pekkarinen throws a hook but Stenbeck avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Stenbeck on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Pekkarinen throws a solid leg kick but Stenbeck takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen takes a swing at Stenbeck's ribcage but misses.
Pekkarinen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pekkarinen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Pekkarinen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Stenbeck looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Stenbeck swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stenbeck moves out of range of the strikes.
Stenbeck avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stenbeck throws a leg kick that is checked
and Pekkarinen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Stenbeck thinking.
Stenbeck throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pekkarinen lands with a thumping leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stenbeck. Pekkarinen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stenbeck misses with a hook. Pekkarinen ducked under it nicely.
Stenbeck misses the shot to the body.
Pekkarinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stenbeck throws a hook to the side of Pekkarinen's head but Pekkarinen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stenbeck throws a series of punches but Pekkarinen moves out of range.
Stenbeck misses with a wild combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stenbeck misses with a body shot.
Stenbeck takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Good exchange - Stenbeck coming out on top.
Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but Stenbeck moved away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenbeck just misses with a punch to the body.
Pekkarinen checks a leg kick.
Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but Stenbeck sees it coming and moves out of range.
Pekkarinen swings for the body but Stenbeck moves out of range.
Stenbeck misses with a straight left.
Pekkarinen is looking to counter punch.
Stenbeck is looking to chop away at Pekkarinen's legs.
A nice leg kick lands there from Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Pekkarinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Stenbeck lands a nice leg kick that just misses Pekkarinen's sensitive parts.
Pekkarinen staying out of range there.
Pekkarinen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Lauri Pekkarinen is winning the standup battle so far.
Pekkarinen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Gustaf Stenbeck is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stenbeck cracks Pekkarinen with a good jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stenbeck fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Pekkarinen blocks a jab.
Pekkarinen lands an overhand right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pekkarinen connects with a single shot there.
Pekkarinen blocks a head kick by Stenbeck.
Pekkarinen with a hook.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Pekkarinen checks a leg kick.
Pekkarinen throws a poor cross that misses
and Stenbeck counters with a stiff right hand.
Pekkarinen throws a hook but Stenbeck blocks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stenbeck! But no joy.
Stenbeck blocks a leg kick.
Stenbeck pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Pekkarinen is looking to slow Stenbeck down with leg kicks.
Pekkarinen slips a jab from Stenbeck.
Pekkarinen attempts a counter takedown but Stenbeck avoids it well and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Gustaf Stenbeck will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Lauri Pekkarinen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Good leg kick by Pekkarinen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Stenbeck just misses with a punch to the body.
Stenbeck takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Stenbeck tries a low kick but Pekkarinen avoids it.
Pekkarinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pekkarinen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Stenbeck's sensitive parts.
Stenbeck checks the leg kick.
Stenbeck's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Pekkarinen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
An inside leg kick lands from Pekkarinen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A shot to the body from Pekkarinen misses
and Pekkarinen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stenbeck throws a leg kick which misses Pekkarinen's front leg but catches the back leg as Pekkarinen tries to avoid it.
Stenbeck misses with a looping left.
Pekkarinen misses with a low kick.
Stenbeck lands with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stenbeck takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Stenbeck steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Pekkarinen. That one must have hurt.
Stenbeck scores with a body shot.
Pekkarinen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Stenbeck lands a glancing blow to the side of Pekkarinen's head.
Stenbeck takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Pekkarinen throws a head kick that Stenbeck semi-blocks.
Pekkarinen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Stenbeck can pounce on him.
Stenbeck throws a low kick but it's checked well by Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen tried to score with a low kick but Stenbeck checks it.
Pekkarinen throws a leg kick but Stenbeck checks it.
Stenbeck throws out a counter right but Pekkarinen avoids it with no problem.
Pekkarinen throws a poor cross that misses
and Stenbeck counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Pekkarinen thinking.
Pekkarinen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stenbeck throws a lazy right hand but Pekkarinen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Stenbeck tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Pekkarinen looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
An inside leg kick lands from Stenbeck.
Pekkarinen misses the shot to the body.
Stenbeck throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pekkarinen tries to counter with a takedown but Stenbeck is quick to defend against it.
Pekkarinen connects with a high kick.
Pekkarinen misses with a straight right.
Stenbeck steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Pekkarinen lands with a good body shot.
Stenbeck throws a looping overhand right but Pekkarinen ducks down to avoid it.
It looked like Pekkarinen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Pekkarinen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Stenbeck missing with a left hand there. Pekkarinen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stenbeck cracks Pekkarinen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stenbeck misses with a low kick.
A lazy left from Pekkarinen finds it's target.
Stenbeck tests Pekkarinen's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Lauri Pekkarinen's cut is getting worse.
Pekkarinen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pekkarinen is looking to clinch but Stenbeck is avoiding it.
Pekkarinen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stenbeck.
Pekkarinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stenbeck scores with a sloppy right hand. Pekkarinen should have avoided that one.

Stenbeck takes the fight into the clinch.
Pekkarinen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pekkarinen.
Pekkarinen is trying to maintain a safe position but Stenbeck gets an underhook and turns Pekkarinen into the cage.
Pekkarinen blocking some punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stenbeck's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pekkarinen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pekkarinen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stenbeck circles away quickly and effectively.
Pekkarinen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pekkarinen throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Stenbeck pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Pekkarinen lands a jab to the nose.
Pekkarinen moves out of range as Stenbeck strikes.
Stenbeck misses with a hook. Pekkarinen ducked under it nicely.
Stenbeck looks to land a body kick but Pekkarinen moved away.
Pekkarinen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Pekkarinen lands with a hook. Stenbeck tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stenbeck misses with a low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Gustaf Stenbeck.
Well Stenbeck has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gustaf Stenbeck!