PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alpo Paakku (ranked 25151 p4p, 563 weight class) and Skippy McFarland (ranked 6997 p4p, 521 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Paakku
vs
McFarland

185 cm
24
190 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

190 cm
19
188 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Alpo Paakku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Skippy McFarland!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paakku misses with a takedown attempt - McFarland sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Paakku misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Paakku fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alpo Paakku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paakku has his takedown stuffed

and McFarland counters by moving into the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
McFarland makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McFarland effectively controlling the action here.
McFarland stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McFarland has a couple of punches blocked by Paakku.
Paakku tries for a takedown. No joy.
McFarland lands a nice shot to the body.
McFarland lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
McFarland stalling against the cage.
McFarland misses with a hook from the clinch.
McFarland is defending well against a takedown attempt.
McFarland lands a right hand.

It looks like Alpo Paakku has been cut.
McFarland lands a hook that snaps the head of Paakku backwards.
McFarland drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McFarland lands a body punch.
The referee calls for McFarland to work.
McFarland can't find room to land a body shot as Paakku controls the action.
Paakku looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
McFarland lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Paakku backwards.
McFarland lands on the inside with an uppercut.
McFarland is looking to take this one to the mat.
McFarland pressing his opponent against the cage.
McFarland slowing the pace effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paakku drops down looking for an ankle pick but McFarland pulls his leg out and moves away.
McFarland scores with a jab. Paakku acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Paakku with a lazy takedown attempt
and Paakku takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Alpo Paakku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paakku dives in and grabs McFarland's left leg, looking for a takedown. McFarland pushes down on Paakku's head and hops out.

McFarland has closed the distance and engaged Paakku in a clinch.
McFarland gets through Paakku's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Paakku.

Paakku lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
McFarland wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paakku is keen to just control but McFarland is a slippery customer.
McFarland is controlling Paakku's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paakku working the head and body with strikes.
Paakku misses with a head shot. McFarland uses the momentum to regain guard.
Paakku throws a big right hand that misses.
Paakku scoring with some ground and pound.
McFarland wants to sweep but no luck.
Paakku postures up in McFarland's guard and throws a big left but McFarland blocks it.
Paakku is in close to McFarland's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Paakku working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McFarland has control of Paakku's left arm, preventing Paakku from doing any damage.
Paakku is in close to McFarland's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Skippy McFarland dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alpo Paakku'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.

McFarland fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Paakku has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McFarland finds it's way round the side to connect with Paakku's head.
McFarland thuds his right hand into Paakku's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Paakku closes this distance looking for a takedown but McFarland circles away.
McFarland misses with the combination.
McFarland keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
McFarland throws a counter combo.

McFarland scores with a takedown into Paakku's guard.
Paakku is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst McFarland is controlling him.
McFarland trying to control but Paakku is working from the bottom.

Paakku has his feet on McFarland's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paakku changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McFarland tries to avoid it but Paakku manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McFarland to the ground. McFarland escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alpo Paakku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McFarland misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McFarland moves into the clinch successfully.
Still in the clinch, McFarland scores with a nice short uppercut.
McFarland lands a shoulder strike.
Paakku is working for takedown but McFarland is calmly controlling the position for now.
McFarland lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McFarland stalling the fight.
McFarland lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
McFarland scores with a shoulder strike.
McFarland lands with a left to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on McFarland - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on McFarland - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
McFarland pushes Paakku back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
McFarland scores with a shoulder strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paakku's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Paakku blocks a body shot from McFarland.
McFarland scores with a nice hook to the head.
McFarland has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Paakku is working for takedown but McFarland is calmly controlling the position for now.

McFarland has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Paakku is trying to keep an underhook but McFarland manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Paakku has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Paakku kicks McFarland off and gets back to his feet.
McFarland takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Paakku shoots for a takedown but McFarland saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
McFarland throws out a counter right but Paakku avoids it with no problem.
McFarland stuffs the takedown.
McFarland stuffs the takedown attempt from Paakku. Paakku gets slowly back to his feet.
McFarland now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Paakku throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McFarland's waist but McFarland gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Paakku off to one side.
Paakku has a takedown stuffed.
McFarland scores with a jab to the head.
Paakku with a lazy takedown attempt
and McFarland counters with a straight right hand.
Paakku takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

McFarland feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paakku preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as McFarland accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
McFarland lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McFarland controls from within his opponent's guard.
McFarland stops Paakku from standing up.
McFarland content to stall in guard here.
McFarland wants to pass the guard but Paakku is keeping the position.
McFarland stops Paakku from standing up.
McFarland loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Alpo Paakku overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Paakku is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from McFarland.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from McFarland.
McFarland misses with some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Skippy McFarland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Alpo Paakku's cut.
That's time! Paakku's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

McFarland lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by McFarland.

Paakku scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
McFarland is trying to get back to full guard.
Paakku scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Paakku seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McFarland does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
McFarland has his hands clasped together around Paakku's back. He's all about the action.
Paakku winds up and cracks McFarland with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Paakku scoring with strikes to the body and head.
McFarland preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Paakku is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
McFarland taking some punishment here, with Paakku in his half guard.
McFarland is pressing down on Paakku's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
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!
McFarland looking to hit a scissor sweep but Paakku is one step ahead there.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McFarland can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paakku not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
McFarland wants to sweep here but Paakku controlling him for the moment.

Paakku thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Paakku trying to control but McFarland is working from the bottom.
Paakku preventing the sweep.
Paakku trying to control the position from guard on top but McFarland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McFarland is trying to keep Paakku in close.
Paakku lands a couple of decent looking shots.
McFarland not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
McFarland keeping moving, preventing Paakku from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
McFarland seems keen to control Paakku's posture.
Paakku makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
McFarland really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Paakku. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
McFarland looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Paakku drops back looking for a leg! McFarland is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and McFarland manages to kick Paakku off! Paakku jumps back into McFarland's guard.
Paakku throwing strikes but missing.
McFarland is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Paakku stopping the sweep attempt from McFarland.
McFarland utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Paakku postures up in McFarland's guard and throws a big left but McFarland blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McFarland trying to keep a closed guard but Paakku is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
McFarland lands an overhand right.
Paakku will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

McFarland gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
McFarland lands with a short punch from the clinch.
McFarland drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Paakku gets the underhooks and prevents it.
McFarland pushes Paakku back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
McFarland holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Skippy McFarland seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Skippy McFarland is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Paakku is fighting off a takedown attempt but McFarland is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Paakku to the mat. Paakku regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Paakku pushes McFarland off and gets back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jab by McFarland.
McFarland throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Alpo Paakku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Paakku darts in looking for a takedown but McFarland gets double underhooks and turns Paakku into the cage.
McFarland tries to counter by closing the distance.
Paakku takes a body punch but keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Skippy McFarland.
I've got McFarland winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Skippy McFarland!