PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vertti Ekstrovertti (ranked 1062 p4p, 1090 weight class) and Patrick River (ranked 143 p4p, 149 weight class). River has chosen Pantera - Walk as his entrance music. 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
River

190 cm
37
194
26 - 20 - 1

188 cm
25
186
7 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

Voodoo Nutrition

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 26 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Vertti Ekstrovertti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Patrick River!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Richard Clark and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ekstrovertti fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. River looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ekstrovertti throws a lazy body kick
and River counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ekstrovertti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by River.
Ekstrovertti blocks a leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from River.

River clinches with his opponent.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti struggles to land a body shot inside as River controls his hands.
Ekstrovertti works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
River blocking some punches.
River lands an uppercut.

River's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
River motions for Ekstrovertti to come forward. River throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ekstrovertti half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Ekstrovertti there.
River looks for a takedown but Ekstrovertti sprawls well.
Ekstrovertti lands a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River defending well as Ekstrovertti loads up on a big left hand.
River is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Ekstrovertti throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ekstrovertti misses with a hook. River ducked under it nicely.
River tries a quick counter leg kick but Ekstrovertti is wise to it.
Ekstrovertti looks to score with a jab to the body but River is just out of range.
River moves out of range as Ekstrovertti throws a body kick.
River throws out a counter right but Ekstrovertti avoids it with no problem.
Ekstrovertti's jab looks to have found its range, popping River under the eye.
River has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
River pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ekstrovertti is out of range and River settles back down.
River throws a nice inside leg kick.
River scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
River lands a jab to the head.
Ekstrovertti throws an overhand right that lands on River's shoulder, as River tries to avoid the shot.
River gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ekstrovertti throws a body punch but River moves out of range.
Ekstrovertti misses with a wild body shot.
Ekstrovertti sets himself, and River steps forward looking for the clinch! Ekstrovertti avoids it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River throws a leg kick but Ekstrovertti sees it coming and checks it nicely.
A big right from Ekstrovertti misses.
River misses the shot to the body.
Ekstrovertti half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
No luck for Ekstrovertti with that takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ekstrovertti connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
River gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Ekstrovertti counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Ekstrovertti is looking for a kimura but River is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ekstrovertti to get the leverage.
River wants to control but Ekstrovertti is keeping busy and won't allow it.

River looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

River is defending against the submission attempts here by Ekstrovertti.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

River looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ekstrovertti wants to control but River is keeping him busy.
Ekstrovertti looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
River is looking for a sweep. Ekstrovertti is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
River trying to control but Ekstrovertti postures up.
River is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four 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.
Ekstrovertti seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but River does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ekstrovertti trying to mount his opponent but River defends it.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
River is refusing to be controlled, as Ekstrovertti sits in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
River doesn't manage to clinch there - Ekstrovertti circles away.
A telegraphed right hand from Ekstrovertti misses the target.
River checks a leg kick nicely.
It seemed like River was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A nice leg kick from Ekstrovertti, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ekstrovertti connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
River misses with a wild body shot.
River turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vertti Ekstrovertti dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

River misses with a hook. Ekstrovertti ducked under it nicely.

Ekstrovertti closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Ekstrovertti looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
River is trying to control but can't.
River is looking for a sweep. Ekstrovertti is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ekstrovertti lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ekstrovertti seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ekstrovertti seems to be working for a kimura but River defends the submission attempt.
River keeping control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

River looking for submissions off his back.

River actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
River wants to control but Ekstrovertti is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ekstrovertti is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that River can do to turn this around?
Ekstrovertti is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
River is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ekstrovertti scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ekstrovertti seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Ekstrovertti is working for a submission of some sort.

River actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
River is trying to get back to full guard.
River has his hands clasped together around Ekstrovertti's back. He's all about the action.
River won't allow Ekstrovertti to pass to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
River is in trouble now - Ekstrovertti has advanced to mount!
Ekstrovertti landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti tries to control but River wriggling away.
River tries to hold on but Ekstrovertti pushes him away.

Ekstrovertti jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… River is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by River and Ekstrovertti has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
River taking punishment in the form of punches.
River is looking to reverse the position.
Ekstrovertti advances to mount.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ekstrovertti has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of River's face.
River is desperately trying to improve his position but Ekstrovertti has a good base and remains in mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vertti Ekstrovertti dominated that second round.
That's time! Ekstrovertti's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

River on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ekstrovertti wants to slow River down by chopping away at his legs.
Vertti Ekstrovertti is winning the standup battle so far.
Ekstrovertti misses the shot to the body.
River avoids the body shot from Ekstrovertti.
River stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ekstrovertti.
River walks into a stiff left hand from Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti tries a low kick but River avoids it.
Ekstrovertti moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ekstrovertti is looking to chop away at River's legs.
River throws out a loose jab but Ekstrovertti uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vertti Ekstrovertti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
River blocks the body kick.
River looks to score with a jab to the body but Ekstrovertti is just out of range.
Ekstrovertti avoids the body shot from River.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti throws a quick inside leg kick.
River on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ekstrovertti blocks a leg kick.
River moves out of range as Ekstrovertti throws a body kick.
River steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Ekstrovertti.
River keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
River takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
River fails in his attempt to clinch.
River throws a leg kick

and Ekstrovertti counters with a takedown into side control.

Ekstrovertti tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ekstrovertti has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Ekstrovertti is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, River has escaped the position, nice work there.
River gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti is looking to advance position but River won't allow it.
Ekstrovertti missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ekstrovertti is looking to take a break and control but River is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ekstrovertti wants to work for an arm triangle but River is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ekstrovertti lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Patrick River has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti stalling away here and it's allowed River to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Ekstrovertti trying to control the position from guard on top but River is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Ekstrovertti got a little sloppy there for a moment and River has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ekstrovertti has managed to get both his arms back between River's legs - danger averted.

River is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

River is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ekstrovertti defends well.
River is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ekstrovertti actively working from the bottom here.
Vertti Ekstrovertti is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ekstrovertti keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ekstrovertti trying to control but River postures up.
Ekstrovertti wants to sweep but River has passed to side control!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ekstrovertti is trying to control River's posture but River avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vertti Ekstrovertti showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ekstrovertti, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Atkins scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vertti Ekstrovertti!
After the fight, Vertti Ekstrovertti was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.