PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vertti Ekstrovertti (ranked 3486 p4p, 3505 weight class) and Joey Bob Potatohauler (ranked 435 p4p, 436 weight class). 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
Potatohauler

190 cm
43
194
32 - 29 - 2

178 cm
38
197
17 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Voodoo Nutrition
Conquer

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 32 - 29 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Vertti Ekstrovertti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joey Bob Potatohauler!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ekstrovertti forces Potatohauler back against the cage and clinches.
Ekstrovertti swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ekstrovertti lands a body punch.
Ekstrovertti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Potatohauler's elbow.
Ekstrovertti lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ekstrovertti lands a body shot.

Ekstrovertti breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Potatohauler tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ekstrovertti swivels and escapes.
A shot to the liver by Ekstrovertti. Beautiful body shot.
Ekstrovertti blocks a head kick by Potatohauler.

Ekstrovertti fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Potatohauler, pushing him back against the cage.
Potatohauler wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Potatohauler has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ekstrovertti as Potatohauler tries to tie him up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Potatohauler blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ekstrovertti lands with a left to the head.

Potatohauler breaks from the clinch.

Ekstrovertti forces Potatohauler back against the cage and clinches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Potatohauler tries to break the clinch but Ekstrovertti is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potatohauler is trying to push Ekstrovertti away but Ekstrovertti has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ekstrovertti lands a nice shot to the body.

Ekstrovertti's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Potatohauler tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ekstrovertti swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Potatohauler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ekstrovertti swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Potatohauler has managed to clinch.
Nice body punch from Ekstrovertti.

Potatohauler breaks from the clinch.

Ekstrovertti darts in and clinches Potatohauler up against the cage.
Potatohauler is looking to break free of the clinch but Ekstrovertti has double underhooks.
Potatohauler working hard to break the clinch.
Ekstrovertti is stalling here.
Potatohauler is looking to break free of the clinch but Ekstrovertti has double underhooks.
A short right from Ekstrovertti on the inside.
Potatohauler is trying to break the clinch but Ekstrovertti has him pressed against the cage.
I was talking to Ekstrovertti's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti slowing the pace effectively.
Ekstrovertti lands a body shot in the clinch.

Potatohauler pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Potatohauler tries to clinch
and Ekstrovertti counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Potatohauler tries to clinch there but Ekstrovertti circles away.
Ekstrovertti feinted with a counter takedown.
Potatohauler tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ekstrovertti misses with a hook
and Potatohauler counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Potatohauler wants to clinch up but Ekstrovertti keeps it at a distance.
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!
Potatohauler tries to clinch up but Ekstrovertti circles away and keeps his distance.
An attempted straight right counter from Ekstrovertti misses the target.
Ekstrovertti throws a nice outside leg kick.

Ekstrovertti closes the distance and clinches.
Ekstrovertti holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Potatohauler wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ekstrovertti working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Potatohauler has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Ekstrovertti seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Potatohauler can turn it around.
Ekstrovertti lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ekstrovertti lands a hook that snaps the head of Potatohauler backwards.
Ekstrovertti tries a body shot but Potatohauler blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Ekstrovertti.
Potatohauler is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ekstrovertti to keep the fight standing.
Come on Ekstrovertti - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ekstrovertti leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ekstrovertti pushes Potatohauler back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ekstrovertti slowing the pace effectively.

Potatohauler breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ekstrovertti lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Potatohauler doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Potatohauler closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ekstrovertti quickly recovers to half guard.
Ekstrovertti is trying to get back to full guard.

Ekstrovertti actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti is refusing to be controlled, as Potatohauler sits in half guard.
Ekstrovertti wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ekstrovertti is trying to maintain the position but Potatohauler is very close to passing his half guard.
Potatohauler is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ekstrovertti is controlling Potatohauler's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Ekstrovertti is looking for a sweep. Potatohauler is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vertti Ekstrovertti dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Potatohauler gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Potatohauler has closed the distance and engaged Ekstrovertti in a clinch.
Potatohauler tries to break free but Ekstrovertti pushes him back against the cage.
Ekstrovertti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Potatohauler's elbow.
Ekstrovertti tries to throw a body punch but Potatohauler avoids it by throwing Ekstrovertti back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Potatohauler's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ekstrovertti effectively controlling the action here.
Potatohauler wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ekstrovertti has him pressed against the cage.

Potatohauler breaks the clinch.
Potatohauler tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekstrovertti throws a chopping leg kick but Potatohauler manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Potatohauler is looking to clinch.
Ekstrovertti is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Potatohauler closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Potatohauler blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Vertti Ekstrovertti has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Potatohauler is trying to break free.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Potatohauler.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti just leaning against Potatohauler, taking a breather.
Ekstrovertti misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Potatohauler wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Potatohauler is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ekstrovertti pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ekstrovertti lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ekstrovertti stalling.
Ekstrovertti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Ekstrovertti.

Potatohauler manages to break the clinch.
Ekstrovertti misses with a low kick.
Potatohauler is looking to clinch but Ekstrovertti is avoiding it.

Potatohauler is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ekstrovertti's half guard.

Ekstrovertti looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti controlling the position for now.
Ekstrovertti is trying to get back to full guard.
Ekstrovertti is refusing to be controlled, as Potatohauler sits in half guard.
Ekstrovertti is trying to get back to full guard.
Ekstrovertti is working hard here to advance position.
Potatohauler wants to stand up but Ekstrovertti has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti trying to control here.
Ekstrovertti wants to improve his position but Potatohauler is controlling well.
Potatohauler not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Potatohauler stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Potatohauler shoots in but no luck this time.
Ekstrovertti is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Potatohauler can do to turn this around?
Potatohauler wants to clinch up but Ekstrovertti keeps it at a distance.
Donk. Ekstrovertti catches Potatohauler right on the button with a cross.
Ekstrovertti scores with a leg kick.
Ekstrovertti is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potatohauler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ekstrovertti paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Potatohauler looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ekstrovertti tried to score with a low kick but Potatohauler checks it.
Potatohauler walks into a straight right hand from Ekstrovertti.

Potatohauler gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Potatohauler breaks the clinch.
Ekstrovertti throws a hook but Potatohauler blocks it.
Potatohauler throws a right and a left that both miss.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Potatohauler has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ekstrovertti displaying some good clinch control by pressing Potatohauler up against the cage.
Ekstrovertti gets through Potatohauler's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ekstrovertti taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Ekstrovertti lands a left hand that snaps the head of Potatohauler backwards.
Ekstrovertti lands a left hand that snaps the head of Potatohauler backwards.
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. This is the final round!

Potatohauler tries to clinch there but Ekstrovertti circles away.

Potatohauler moves into range and clinches up with Ekstrovertti.
Potatohauler can't break the clinch.
Ekstrovertti lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Potatohauler is trying to push Ekstrovertti away but Ekstrovertti has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti throws a head punch that misses.
Potatohauler tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ekstrovertti just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ekstrovertti holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Ekstrovertti working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Potatohauler escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ekstrovertti lands with a shot to the body.
Ekstrovertti takes a swing at Potatohauler's ribcage but misses.
Potatohauler looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Potatohauler tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vertti Ekstrovertti is winning the standup battle so far.
A good leg kick by Ekstrovertti.
Potatohauler misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Potatohauler.
Ekstrovertti connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Potatohauler looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Vertti Ekstrovertti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Bob Potatohauler.
Potatohauler takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Potatohauler is looking to clinch but Ekstrovertti is avoiding it.
Potatohauler has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ekstrovertti steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Potatohauler.
As Potatohauler backs away, Ekstrovertti returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Potatohauler rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ekstrovertti moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ekstrovertti lands with an uppercut that bounces Potatohauler off the cage and back into range.
Potatohauler moves forwards but Ekstrovertti connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Potatohauler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ekstrovertti swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Ekstrovertti buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ekstrovertti fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ekstrovertti bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Potatohauler's head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Potatohauler ducks under a wild hook from Ekstrovertti.
Potatohauler lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Potatohauler tries to clinch up.
Ekstrovertti keeps the fight on the outside.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ekstrovertti, as that shot connected.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ekstrovertti.
Ekstrovertti tries to close the distance and clinch but Potatohauler swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Potatohauler tries to clinch but Ekstrovertti moves out of range.
Potatohauler fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ekstrovertti fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ekstrovertti is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ekstrovertti tries to score with a low kick but Potatohauler moves his leg out of the way.
Potatohauler dives in for a single leg takedown but Ekstrovertti sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ekstrovertti misses with a shot to the body
and Potatohauler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Potatohauler 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 moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ekstrovertti misses with a body punch.
Potatohauler wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ekstrovertti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Potatohauler is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ekstrovertti pushes Potatohauler back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ekstrovertti creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Potatohauler breaks from the clinch.
Potatohauler takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Potatohauler moves into the clinch.
Ekstrovertti lands a left hand.
Ekstrovertti wants to stall.
A shot in the inside from Ekstrovertti.
Potatohauler tries to circle away but Ekstrovertti has him pinned against the cage.

Potatohauler breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potatohauler misses with a double jab

and Ekstrovertti counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Ekstrovertti.
Potatohauler working hard to break the clinch.
Ekstrovertti tries to work over Potatohauler's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vertti Ekstrovertti is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Potatohauler tries to pull guard but Ekstrovertti won't allow it.
Ekstrovertti swings wildly with an uppercut but Potatohauler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ekstrovertti swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Potatohauler's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ekstrovertti tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Ekstrovertti's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Potatohauler throws a sloppy head kick
and Ekstrovertti connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ekstrovertti lands a nice shot to the body.
Potatohauler tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ekstrovertti appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ekstrovertti chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Joey Bob Potatohauler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Potatohauler is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vertti Ekstrovertti!
A very excited looking Vertti Ekstrovertti made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.