PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Devonte Pinks (ranked 332 p4p, 904 weight class) and Seppo Ilmarinen (ranked 50 p4p, 123 weight class). Pinks comes to the cage accompanied by HUMBLE.. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Pinks
vs
Ilmarinen

190 cm
23
210
9 - 1 - 0

192 cm
22
210
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Fast

Shadow Warrior Nutrition
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Devonte Pinks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Seppo Ilmarinen!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pinks throws a leg kick

and Ilmarinen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pinks swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pinks 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.
Ilmarinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Pinks is retaining full guard.
Pinks seems keen to control Ilmarinen's posture.
Pinks keeping full guard, as Ilmarinen tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pinks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ilmarinen pushing down on Pinks's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ilmarinen wants to pass to mount but Pinks is defending the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinks looks like he's trying to stand up.
Pinks tries to get to full guard but Ilmarinen has control of the leg.
Pinks trying to hold on to Ilmarinen's head to control him but Ilmarinen postures up.

Ilmarinen is looking for a kimura here.

Pinks is defending against the submission attempts here by Ilmarinen.

Ilmarinen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Pinks is just riding it out for now. Ilmarinen eventually gives up the hold.
Pinks trying to control here.

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.

Ilmarinen seems to be looking for submissions.
Pinks trying to control but Ilmarinen postures up.
Pinks is not content to let Ilmarinen control the position.
Pinks wants to control but Ilmarinen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ilmarinen trying to control the pace.
Pinks is trying to stand back up but Ilmarinen is controlling him
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Pinks wants to improve his position but Ilmarinen is controlling well.
Ilmarinen trying to mount his opponent but Pinks defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinks wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Ilmarinen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pinks defends it well.
Pinks wants to improve his position but Ilmarinen is controlling well.

Ilmarinen is looking for a kimura but Pinks is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ilmarinen to get the leverage.

Ilmarinen seems to be working for a kimura but Pinks defends the submission attempt.

Ilmarinen is working for a submission of some sort.
Ilmarinen is thwarting Pinks's attempts to control the position.
Ilmarinen wants to pass to mount but Pinks is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Ilmarinen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Pinks is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ilmarinen tries to pass to full mount but Pinks defends it.
Pinks wants to control but Ilmarinen is keeping busy.
Ilmarinen has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at ZuccoTraining Ground. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ilmarinen prevents Pinks from improving his position.

Ilmarinen is working for a submission of some sort.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Ilmarinen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pinks misses with a lunging right hand

and Ilmarinen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ilmarinen wants to control from the top but Pinks keeps moving.
Ilmarinen advances position into side control!

Ilmarinen tries for a kimura but Pinks is defending well.

Ilmarinen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Pinks rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Ilmarinen's guard! Nice work there by Pinks!
Ilmarinen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pinks would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Pinks has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ilmarinen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Pinks is aware though and is defending well.

Ilmarinen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pinks gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ilmarinen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pinks gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Pinks slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Pinks wants to control but Ilmarinen is keeping him busy.
You can see the frustration on Ilmarinen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ilmarinen prevents Pinks from moving into mount.
Pinks is working hard here to advance position.
Ilmarinen struggling a bit here.
Pinks is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Ilmarinen will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.
Seppo Ilmarinen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pinks just content to control the position.
You can see the frustration on Ilmarinen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Pinks tries to advance to mount but can't.
Pinks trying to control the position but Ilmarinen is working away.
Ilmarinen tries to bench press Pinks off him but Pinks keeps the position.
Pinks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ilmarinen keeps working.
Pinks advances to full mount.
Ilmarinen can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinks avoids the attempt from Ilmarinen to control.
Pinks tries to control but Ilmarinen wriggling away.
Pinks controlling his opponent.
Ilmarinen has given up his back here. Will Pinks look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Ilmarinen tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Pinks controlling his opponent.
Ilmarinen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pinks trying to control but Ilmarinen is having none of it.
Ilmarinen is looking to improve his position but Pinks isn't that keen on the idea.

Pinks stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
We've been told by Pinks's head coaches at Fist of Fury Training Center that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pinks. That's going to slow Ilmarinen down.
Pinks throws a leg kick

and Ilmarinen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ilmarinen wants to pass the guard but Pinks is keeping the position.
Ilmarinen pushes down on Pinks's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Ilmarinen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pinks trying to control here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Devonte Pinks will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ilmarinen moves away from the strike by Pinks.
Pinks lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pinks is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Pinks throws a big shot that misses.
Pinks throws a low kick but Ilmarinen avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pinks throws the left hand but Ilmarinen avoids the punch easily.
Pinks's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ilmarinen under the eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Pinks misses the target.
Ilmarinen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Pinks defends it well.
Pinks throws a leg kick but Ilmarinen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ilmarinen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Pinks defends it well.
Pinks misses with a leg kick

and Ilmarinen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Pinks is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Ilmarinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Pinks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Pinks 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.
Ilmarinen stands and throws Pinks's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Ilmarinen tries for a kimura but Pinks is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen working away.
Ilmarinen trying to control the position but Pinks is working away.

Ilmarinen swings around for an armbar but Pinks sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Ilmarinen's guard.

Ilmarinen is working an open guard so Pinks takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Pinks scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ilmarinen doesn't seem bothered though.
Pinks throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ilmarinen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Pinks pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ilmarinen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen checks a leg kick nicely.
Ilmarinen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Pinks defends it well.
Pinks throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Ilmarinen counters with a takedown into side control.
Ilmarinen wants to control but Pinks is keeping him busy.
Ilmarinen controls the position.
Pinks is trying to get back to half guard.

Ilmarinen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pinks has escaped the position, nice work there.

Ilmarinen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ilmarinen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Ilmarinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pinks keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ilmarinen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Pinks, who protects the arm well.
Ilmarinen trying to control the position but Pinks is working away.
Pinks is looking to reverse the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ilmarinen tries for a kimura but Pinks is defending well.

Ilmarinen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Pinks rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Ilmarinen's guard! Nice work there by Pinks!

And that's the end of the fight!
Devonte Pinks showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Pinks 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Devonte Pinks!
In his post fight interview, Devonte Pinks started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.