PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Odin Markkanen (ranked 2253 p4p, 1720 weight class) and Mickey Dismantle (ranked 201 p4p, 152 weight class). Dismantle comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Come As You Are kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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?

Markkanen
vs
Dismantle

170 cm
31
150
7 - 0 - 0

170 cm
30
148
17 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

FF Gear

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 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Odin Markkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Mickey Dismantle!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markkanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Markkanen misses with a body kick.
Markkanen tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A little jabbing left from Dismantle on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Markkanen misses with a looping left.
A countering left hand to the body from Dismantle misses.
Left hook, right uppercut from Markkanen.
Dismantle takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Markkanen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Odin Markkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dismantle looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dismantle lands with a hook. Markkanen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Markkanen moves away from the strike by Dismantle.
Markkanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A solid leg kick lands there for Dismantle.
Markkanen lands a jab to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dismantle keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Markkanen.
Markkanen scores with a hook to the body. Dismantle takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Dismantle throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Markkanen on the side of the head.
Markkanen misses with a body shot.
Markkanen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dismantle. Markkanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dismantle scores with a nice head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Dismantle as he connects with a hook.
Markkanen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Dismantle's hands.
Markkanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dismantle throws out the jab.
Dismantle scores with a body shot.
Dismantle tries to clinch up.
Decent striking displayed by Markkanen there.
Markkanen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dismantle swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dismantle throws a leg kick which misses Markkanen's front leg but catches the back leg as Markkanen tries to avoid it.
Markkanen tries for a takedown but Dismantle circles away easily
and Dismantle counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dismantle slips under a jab from Markkanen.
Dismantle staying out of range there.
Mickey Dismantle is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Dismantle throws a jab when Markkanen was well out of range.
Markkanen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dismantle.
Dismantle displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Markkanen throws out the jab.

Markkanen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Dismantle tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markkanen lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Markkanen raining down hammerfists from mount.
Markkanen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Dismantle has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Markkanen's lack of action.
Markkanen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dismantle's head.
Markkanen trying to mount his opponent but Dismantle defends it.
Markkanen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Markkanen not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Markkanen wants to work for an arm triangle but Dismantle is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Dismantle avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Markkanen.
Markkanen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Markkanen trying to mount his opponent but Dismantle defends it.
Markkanen wants to take a breather but Dismantle is having none of it.
Markkanen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Dismantle!
Markkanen with the ground and pound from mount.
Markkanen thowing shots but they're missing.
Dismantle holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Markkanen tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dismantle is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Markkanen throws some wild stikes that Dismantle manages to avoid easily.
Dismantle is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Markkanen unloads with some shots from mount but Dismantle bucks and avoids them well.
Markkanen trying to control but Dismantle is having none of it.
Dismantle really wants to buck Markkanen off and get back to his feet.
Markkanen looking to land elbow strikes but Dismantle uses the position to regain half guard.
Dismantle is refusing to be controlled, as Markkanen sits in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Odin Markkanen dominated that round.
That's time! Markkanen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Markkanen shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Markkanen is nestled in close to Dismantle, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Markkanen lands strikes from half guard.
Markkanen 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.
Dismantle keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Markkanen thows a huge punch but Dismantle dodges it nicely.
Markkanen throws a strike but Dismantle avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markkanen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Markkanen throws a big elbow that misses.
Markkanen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Markkanen postures up and lands a big shot to Dismantle's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen won't allow Dismantle to sweep him here.
Markkanen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Dismantle is keeping the position for now.
Markkanen is working hard here to advance position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Markkanen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Markkanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dismantle can do to turn this around?
Markkanen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Dismantle is trying to control the position but Markkanen postures up.
Dismantle working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Markkanen.
Odin Markkanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Markkanen throws a strike but Dismantle rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Markkanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Dismantle is one step ahead there.
Markkanen has control of Dismantle's left arm, preventing Dismantle from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dismantle avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Markkanen has his foot on Dismantle's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dismantle works his way back into a safe position though.

Markkanen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dismantle is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Dismantle trying to stand up but can't free himself from Markkanen's guard.

Markkanen has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Dismantle is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Markkanen.

Dismantle decides to stand up, so the ref orders Markkanen to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Dismantle moves out of range easily.
Odin Markkanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Dismantle scores with a kick to the midsection.
Markkanen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Dismantle takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Markkanen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Dismantle.
A telegraphed right hand from Dismantle misses the target.
Markkanen with a poor takedown
and Dismantle counters with a nice uppercut.
Dismantle checks a leg kick nicely.
Dismantle feints a counter leg kick.
Dismantle lands with a cross.
Dismantle pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Markkanen throws a series of punches but Dismantle avoids them all with ease.
Markkanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dismantle connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Markkanen momentarily.
Markkanen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Dismantle counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markkanen scores with a decent looking hook.
Dismantle swings for the body but Markkanen moves out of range.
Markkanen tries to counter with a takedown but Dismantle is quick to defend against it.
Dismantle shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Dismantle takes a swing at Markkanen's ribcage but misses.
Dismantle with the inside leg kick.
Markkanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Dismantle.
Markkanen half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Markkanen throws a solid leg kick but Dismantle takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Markkanen.
Markkanen motions for Dismantle to come forward. Markkanen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
That kick from Dismantle tenderised Markkanen's leg. Markkanen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Markkanen misses with a hook
and Dismantle counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Markkanen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dismantle circles away quickly and effectively.
Dismantle uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a hook but Dismantle avoids it easily.
Markkanen checks a leg kick.
Dismantle lands with a right hand.
Dismantle is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Markkanen.
Dismantle throws a lazy uppercut

and Markkanen counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Dismantle!
Markkanen landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
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 Odin Markkanen will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Markkanen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Dismantle.
Markkanen misses with a takedown attempt
and Dismantle counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Dismantle throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Dismantle keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a lazy uppercut
and Dismantle counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Markkanen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Dismantle takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A combination from Markkanen does no damage.
Dismantle moves out of range of the body kick from Markkanen.
Dismantle connects with an inside leg kick.
Dismantle defending well as Markkanen loads up on a big left hand.
Markkanen misses with an uppercut
and Dismantle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dismantle missing with a left hand there. Markkanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Dismantle lands a nice hook to Markkanen's body. Markkanen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dismantle will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Dismantle needs to keep his hands up - Markkanen had a free shot at his head there.
Markkanen slips under a jab from Dismantle.
Markkanen misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dismantle was well out of range. Poor timing from Markkanen.
Markkanen scores with a nice right hand.
Dismantle throws a body shot but no joy.
Dismantle connects with a solid leg kick.
Dismantle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Markkanen.
Markkanen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Dismantle sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Dismantle staying out of range there.
Dismantle defending well as Markkanen loads up on a big left hand.
Dismantle gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Markkanen.
Dismantle ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dismantle waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Markkanen.
Markkanen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dismantle scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Dismantle dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Markkanen. That did some damage!
Dismantle throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Markkanen on the side of the head.
Dismantle takes a kick to the side of the head.
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!
Markkanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Mickey Dismantle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Dismantle - just one landing.
The fighters circling - Markkanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Markkanen throws a head kick that misses
and Dismantle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dismantle avoids the head kick by Markkanen.
Markkanen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Dismantle throws a lazy uppercut

so Markkanen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Dismantle manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Dismantle misses with some punches.
Markkanen fails to pull guard.
Dismantle tries to work over Markkanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Markkanen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dismantle tries to clinch but Markkanen is having none of it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Dismantle!
Markkanen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Dismantle misses the shot to the body.
Markkanen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Dismantle throws a lazy body kick

and Markkanen counters with a takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Markkanen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Dismantle knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Dismantle is not content to let Markkanen control the position.
Dismantle tries to buck Markkanen off but Markkanen is having none of it.

Markkanen tries for a kimura but Dismantle is defending well.

Markkanen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Dismantle, who protects the arm well.

That's four 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.
Dismantle is trying to get back to his feet.
Dismantle is not content to let Markkanen control the position.
Markkanen misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Markkanen tries to advance to mount but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mickey Dismantle.
I think Markkanen 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Odin Markkanen!
Our winner, Odin Markkanen, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.