PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ari Katajamaki (ranked 5064 p4p, 5224 weight class) and Deacon Fries (ranked 301 p4p, 304 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Katajamaki
vs
Fries

162 cm
18
135
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
21
143
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ari Katajamaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Deacon Fries!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fries lands with a good body shot.
Katajamaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fries.
Fries misses with a straight left.

Katajamaki gets a double leg takedown into Fries's guard.
Katajamaki throwing strikes but missing.
Katajamaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Katajamaki throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fries works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fries is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Katajamaki wants to sweep but Fries has passed to side control!
Katajamaki is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Tappelukerho, so we'll see if he gets out of it.

Fries looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Katajamaki tries to bench press Fries off him but Fries keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Katajamaki managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Fries.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fries is looking to take a break and control but Katajamaki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Katajamaki knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fries on the ground.
An elbow from Fries crashes against the mat.
Katajamaki defending against the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Katajamaki is looking for a sweep.
Fries has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fries has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Katajamaki!
Katajamaki tries to hold on but Fries pushes him away.
Katajamaki manages to regain half guard whilst avoiding the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fries throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Fries missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Katajamaki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fries throwing shots but Katajamaki is blocking nicely.
Fries performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Fries missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki is looking to improve his position.
Fries trying to control the action but Katajamaki is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Nice takedown defense from Fries. No joy for Katajamaki on that attempt.
Fries tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Ari Katajamaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Katajamaki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fries.
No luck for Fries with that takedown attempt.
Katajamaki tries to clinch up but Fries circles away and keeps his distance.
Katajamaki tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fries paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Katajamaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fries gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Katajamaki has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fries avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ari Katajamaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Katajamaki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Katajamaki is trying to drag Fries to the mat but Fries just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fries is trying to maintain a safe position but Katajamaki gets an underhook and turns Fries into the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Deacon Fries 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.

Katajamaki defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fries.
Katajamaki shoots in but Fries avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Katajamaki closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Fries's guard.
Katajamaki has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Fries is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Fries is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fries has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Katajamaki stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Fries has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Katajamaki manages to get his head free but now Fries has transitioned to an armbar! Katajamaki grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Fries! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Deacon Fries!