PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kieran McArthur (ranked 294 p4p, 257 weight class) and Jallu Pesonen (ranked 34 p4p, 30 weight class). Pesonen has chosen DJ Orkidea - Joutsenlaulu as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

McArthur
vs
Pesonen

175 cm
36
155
25 - 12 - 0

165 cm
38
151
27 - 20 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
HELLBENT

Urban Fighter
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kieran McArthur!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 20 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jallu Pesonen!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McArthur swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sloppy strikes from McArthur. Those never looked like landing.
Sloppy strikes from Pesonen. Those never looked like landing.
McArthur lets loose with a powerful body kick. Pesonen will feel that in the morning.
McArthur does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Pesonen throws a fast counter high kick but McArthur manages to duck under it in time.
Pesonen misses with a head kick.
McArthur scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Donk. McArthur catches Pesonen right on the button with a cross.
Pesonen misses with a straight right.
McArthur moves out of range of the body kick from Pesonen.
McArthur tries to land a leg kick but Pesonen saw it coming and moves away.
A combination from Pesonen does no damage.
Pesonen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Kieran McArthur has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McArthur throws a nice outside leg kick.
A jab from McArthur misses.
McArthur misses with a kick to the body.
Pesonen looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Pesonen cracks a nice hook into McArthur's ribs.
Pesonen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A big right from Pesonen misses.
McArthur tried to score with a low kick but Pesonen checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McArthur lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
McArthur throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Pesonen staying out of range there.
McArthur misses the body punch
and Pesonen counters with a straight right hand.
A left lands for McArthur.
A head kick misses from Pesonen.

Pesonen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
McArthur misses with a punch on the inside.
McArthur misses with some punches.
Pesonen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by McArthur.
McArthur misses with the head strike.
McArthur misses with a body punch.
Pesonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McArthur has a couple of punches blocked by Pesonen.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McArthur.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McArthur misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pesonen has McArthur pushed against the cage.
McArthur gets underhooks to prevent Pesonen's takedown attempt.
McArthur lands with a short shot to the head.
McArthur struggles to land a body shot inside as Pesonen controls his hands.
McArthur is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Pesonen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as McArthur walks away with a smile on his face. Pesonen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Pesonen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. McArthur looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Pesonen tries for a kimura but McArthur is defending well.
Pesonen working away.
McArthur is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but McArthur keeps working.
McArthur can't do much from the bottom here.
Pesonen trying to control the position but McArthur is working away.
McArthur sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Pesonen is figuring out what he wants to do next.
McArthur trying to control from the bottom.
McArthur works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Pesonen 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.
McArthur has his hands on Pesonen's head, controlling the position.
McArthur keeping moving, preventing Pesonen from controlling successfully.
Pesonen looking to pass the guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Jab from Pesonen.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from McArthur. Pesonen shrugs it off though.
A chopping leg kick lands by McArthur.
Pesonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McArthur.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kieran McArthur will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kieran McArthur's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

McArthur slaps away a takedown attempt from Pesonen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pesonen looks to score with a jab to the body but McArthur is just out of range.
Pesonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McArthur.
McArthur throws a low kick, looking for Pesonen's leg but Pesonen calmly moves out of range.
Pesonen is clearly trying to counter these attacks from McArthur with a body shot.
Pesonen moves out of range of the body kick from McArthur.
The crowd cheers as Pesonen lands an impressive looking overhand right. McArthur doesn't seem phased though.
Pesonen goes for a double leg but McArthur avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as McArthur continues to drive forward.
McArthur throwing a counter right hand but Pesonen manages to avoid it.
McArthur is looking to score with low kicks.
Pesonen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Sloppy strikes from Pesonen. Those never looked like landing.
McArthur lands a nice looking body kick.
Pesonen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pesonen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pesonen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Pesonen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McArthur throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pesonen raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
McArthur lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Pesonen walks into a jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Pesonen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. McArthur was covering up waiting for the punch and Pesonen finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McArthur managing to control the position.
McArthur's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Pesonen wants to control from the top but McArthur keeps moving.
McArthur pulls Pesonen in to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Pesonen wants to control from the top but McArthur keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
McArthur is trying to keep Pesonen in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pesonen is looking to land body kicks.
Pesonen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kieran McArthur is winning the standup battle so far.
Pesonen blocks the body kick.
Pesonen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That kick from McArthur tenderised Pesonen's leg. Pesonen is trying to keep his angry face on.
McArthur misses with a two punch combination.
McArthur looks for the body kick but Pesonen saw that one coming.
McArthur misses with an uppercut.
Pesonen thows a leg kick but McArthur checks it
and McArthur cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McArthur scores with a jab to the body.

Pesonen has closed the distance and engaged McArthur in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen misses with a short punch on the inside.
McArthur goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

McArthur pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McArthur is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Pesonen moves out of range as McArthur throws a body kick.
Pesonen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McArthur sees it coming and avoids it easily.
McArthur is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Pesonen shoots in and drives through. McArthur sprawls well.
Kieran McArthur has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jallu Pesonen.
Pesonen throws a lazy right hand but McArthur sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Pesonen throws a leg kick that is checked
and McArthur counters with a stiff right hand.
Pesonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McArthur bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The fighters circling - Pesonen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pesonen fails to land with a series of punches.
Pesonen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McArthur.
McArthur lands with an uppercut that bounces Pesonen off the cage and back into range.
Pesonen pivots, looking for a leg kick but McArthur is out of range and Pesonen settles back down.
McArthur half committed to a counter leg kick.
McArthur tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Pesonen is able to avoid easily.
McArthur is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McArthur goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Pesonen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McArthur throws a leg kick but Pesonen moved away.
McArthur scores with a leg kick.
A lazy body kick from McArthur
and Pesonen counters with a nice body kick.
McArthur connects with a good right hand that stumbles Pesonen. Pesonen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McArthur scores with the left hand. Pesonen knows he should have avoided that one.
McArthur stuffs the takedown attempt from Pesonen. Pesonen gets slowly back to his feet.
Pesonen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kieran McArthur is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pesonen throws a jab when McArthur was well out of range.
Pesonen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Pesonen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McArthur manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pesonen misses with a wild body shot.
Pesonen looks to score with a jab to the body but McArthur is just out of range.
McArthur throws a push kick but Pesonen slaps the foot to one side.
Pesonen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits McArthurs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Good standup being displayed there by McArthur as he connects with a hook.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kieran McArthur dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kieran McArthur's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

McArthur cracks Pesonen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Pesonen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McArthur moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McArthur throws a big shot that misses.

Pesonen gets a double leg takedown into McArthur's guard.
Pesonen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McArthur is keeping the position for now.
McArthur looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pesonen tries to free his leg and advance position but McArthur is retaining full guard.
Pesonen is working McArthur over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Pesonen working some strikes from top position.

Pesonen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pesonen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pesonen is fighting to break McArthur's control of his arms but McArthur is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Pesonen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
McArthur keeping full guard, as Pesonen tries to pass.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Pesonen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pesonen slips a straight right by McArthur.
McArthur lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
McArthur leaves Pesonen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Pesonen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Check out the look on Pesonen's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Jallu Pesonen has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McArthur is trying to get back to half guard.
McArthur struggling a bit here.
McArthur trying to remain calm as Pesonen controls from the top position.
Pesonen wants to control but McArthur is keeping him busy.
McArthur struggling a bit here.
Pesonen wants to control but McArthur is keeping him busy.
Pesonen taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pesonen wants to control but McArthur is keeping him busy.
McArthur struggling a bit here.
Pesonen trying to control the position but McArthur is working away.
Jallu Pesonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
McArthur can't do much from the bottom here.
McArthur is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four 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.
McArthur struggling a bit here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Pesonen works McArthur's body with a nice hook.
Pesonen scores with a hook.
No joy there for Pesonen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jallu Pesonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A decent looking body kick lands there for McArthur.
McArthur lands with a thumping leg kick.
McArthur misses with an uppercut.
Pesonen is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
McArthur misses with a low kick.
McArthur is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Pesonen.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pesonen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. McArthur manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
McArthur is looking to land body kicks.
Pesonen tries to close the distance and clinch but McArthur swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
McArthur lands with a slapping head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jallu Pesonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McArthur has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Shigeki Sano scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kieran McArthur!
Kieran McArthur was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.