PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sal Iva (ranked 3664 p4p, 388 weight class) and Pekka Pouta (ranked 3075 p4p, 337 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Iva
vs
Pouta

180 cm
25
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
182 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Self confident

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sal Iva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pekka Pouta!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Glass and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Iva gets tackled into the cage by Pouta. Pouta maintains the clinch.

Pouta breaks from the clinch.

Pouta looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Iva!
Pouta wants to stand but Iva has his arm trapped.
You can see the frustration on Iva's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Iva regains half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Iva tries to roll over but Pouta keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pouta lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Iva trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iva keeping hold of Pouta's head, controlling as best he can.
Iva taking some punishment here, with Pouta in his half guard.
Well, if Pouta is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Iva is trying to maintain the position but Pouta is very close to passing his half guard.

Iva looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
The fighters are battling for position here. Iva manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Pouta works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Iva gets full guard.

Iva is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pouta is aware though and is defending well.
Pouta being controlled here momentarily.
Pouta wants to control from the top but Iva keeps moving.
Iva wants to sweep here but Pouta controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pouta scoring with punches to the head and body.
Iva throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pouta is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Pouta wants to stand but Iva has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Iva moves into range and clinches up with Pouta.
Pouta throws a punch but it's blocked by Iva.
Iva drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pouta pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
A head kick misses from Pouta.
Pouta looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

Iva bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Iva is trying to get an arm triangle but Pouta is defending well.
Pouta has one of Iva's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Iva moves into full mount!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pouta is looking to get to half guard.

Iva looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pekka Pouta dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Iva takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Iva gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Pouta to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Pouta trying to control the position from guard on top but Iva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Iva pulls Pouta in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iva tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pouta trying to control the position from guard on top but Iva is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Iva has an active guard here but Pouta has managed to pass into half guard.
Iva gets full guard.
Pouta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Iva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Iva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pouta is one step ahead there.
Pouta postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Iva looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pouta slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Iva parries the strikes from Pouta easily there. Pouta is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Iva to escape.
Iva sneaks back into half guard.
Pekka Pouta has got the better of the ground game so far.
Iva is looking to improve his position.
Pouta keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iva tries to roll over but Pouta keeps him under control.
Iva gets back to full guard.
Iva looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pouta is one step ahead there.
Pouta has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Iva is trying to control the position but Pouta postures up.
Pouta postures up and lands a big shot to Iva's brow.
Pouta trying to control but Iva is working from the bottom.
Pouta lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pouta 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.
Iva manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pouta manages to get himself to full guard.

Pouta keeping moving, preventing Iva from controlling successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Iva tries to free his leg and advance position but Pouta is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pekka Pouta showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pouta looks to land a left hand but Iva moved out of range nicely.
Iva throws out a powerful jab.

Pouta darts in and clinches Iva up against the cage.
Iva tries for a takedown but Pouta manages to get underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Pouta's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Iva throws a head punch that misses.
Pouta content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Iva lands a takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iva tries to free his leg and advance position but Pouta is retaining full guard.
Pouta is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Pouta is looking for a triangle but Iva pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pouta keeping full guard, as Iva tries to pass.
Pouta working a defensive guard here.
Pouta keeping full guard, as Iva tries to pass.
Pouta is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Pouta trying to control the position.
Pouta takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Iva slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Iva trying to control the position but Pouta is working away.

Iva wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pouta, who protects the arm well.

Iva looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Iva trying to control the action but Pouta is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iva lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Pouta wants to control but Iva postures up.
Iva trying to control the position but Pouta is working away.

Iva thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Iva advances to full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Pouta is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Iva can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pouta is looking to escape.

Iva looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Iva trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pouta working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sal Iva clearly takes that 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.

Iva throws a right hand that Pouta ducks under and follows up with a left that Pouta also avoids with ease.
Pekka Pouta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Pouta moves into the clinch successfully.
Iva tries to score a body lock takedown but Pouta shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Pouta jumps guard.
Pouta wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Iva won't allow Pouta to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iva is pushing down on Pouta's leg trying to pass to half guard. Pouta is fighting to maintain full guard but Iva has managed to sneak the leg through.

Iva is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Iva is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pouta doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Iva.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Iva wants to free his trapped foot but Pouta is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Iva is trying to control. Pouta wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pouta is positioning himself well to prevent Iva advancing to mount.
Iva working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Iva trying to control from half guard but Pouta is working away.
Pouta is looking to control Iva's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Pouta avoid being mounted?

Iva wants to work for an arm triangle but Pouta is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Pouta is defending against the submission attempts here by Iva.
Pouta is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pouta pushes Iva off looking to stand but Iva dives back in and keeps control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pouta throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Iva shoots in and gets a takedown into Pouta's guard.
Pouta trying to control the position.
Iva passes into half guard.

Pouta looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pouta trying to control from the bottom.
Iva is looking to advance position but Pouta won't allow it.
Iva works his way into side control.

Iva is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pouta knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Iva is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Pouta is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sal Iva had his way with Pekka Pouta in that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Pouta shoots in and bounces Iva off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Iva trying to strike off his back.
Pouta engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pouta trying to control but Iva is working from the bottom.
Iva doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pouta tries to stand but Iva is controlling from the bottom.
Pouta is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Pouta avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Iva is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Pouta avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Iva had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Pouta defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Pouta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Iva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pouta showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Iva tries to keep at a distance but Pouta has taken the fight into the clinch.

Pouta breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iva closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pouta circles away.

Iva looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Pouta is not content to let Iva control the position.
Pouta is trying to get back to full guard.
Iva wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pouta keeps working.
Pouta makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Pouta.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Iva controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Iva trying to control but Pouta is working from the bottom.
Iva stopping the sweep attempt from Pouta.
Pouta trying to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pouta looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Iva throws a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pekka Pouta comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pouta 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge William Gold scores the fight 47:48
Judge James Glass scores the fight 47:48
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pekka Pouta!
Pekka Pouta thanked the fans post fight for their support.