PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hin Areni (ranked 252 p4p, 315 weight class) and Odin Markkanen (ranked 21 p4p, 28 weight class). Areni comes to the cage accompanied by Mosaique. 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.

Areni
vs
Markkanen

169 cm
38
147
22 - 10 - 0

170 cm
32
150
11 - 1 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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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 22 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hin Areni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Odin Markkanen!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Richard Clark and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markkanen misses with an uppercut
enabling Areni to counter with a crisp jab.
Areni throws a leg kick
and Markkanen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nice shot lands for Markkanen.
Areni throws a nice outside leg kick.
Markkanen staying out of range there.
A swing and a miss from Markkanen.
Markkanen feints and then cracks Areni's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Areni down.
Areni pivots, looking for a leg kick but Markkanen is out of range and Areni settles back down.
Areni lands a glancing blow to the side of Markkanen's head.
Markkanen lands a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markkanen connects with the punch.
Areni avoids a punch combination nicely.
Areni feinted with a counter takedown.

Areni drives through and clinches with Markkanen against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areni lands with a left to the head.
Areni lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Markkanen scores with a nice short uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Markkanen fails to land.
Areni swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Markkanen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Areni tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Areni stops a takedown attempt from Markkanen.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Areni.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Markkanen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Areni working aggressively here.
A shot in the inside from Areni.
Markkanen throws a punch but it's blocked by Areni.
A head punch on the inside from Markkanen fails to land.
Markkanen blocking some punches.
Areni prevents Markkanen from breaking the clinch.
Areni misses with some punches.
Areni digs a right hand into Markkanen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Markkanen's gas tank.
Markkanen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Areni prevents Markkanen from breaking the clinch.
Markkanen lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen pushes Areni back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Areni working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Areni holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Markkanen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Areni tries to stall but Markkanen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Areni goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Markkanen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Markkanen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Areni misses with some punches.

Markkanen manages to break the clinch.
Markkanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've been told by Areni's head coaches at Mentor Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Nice jab there from Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a hook but Areni avoids it easily.
Markkanen clobbers Areni with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Markkanen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Areni.
Markkanen throws out a powerful jab.
Areni takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Markkanen.
Areni swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Markkanen blocks a leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Markkanen.
Areni uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Markkanen.
Markkanen swings widly with a right hand
and Areni counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Markkanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Areni.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Markkanen.
Markkanen fails with the takedown.
Areni scores with a punch to the head.
Areni swings for the body but Markkanen moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Areni.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good standup being displayed there by Markkanen as he connects with a hook.
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!
A lazy left from Markkanen finds it's target.
Areni looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Markkanen tries a quick counter leg kick but Areni is wise to it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Areni. That's going to slow Markkanen down.
Markkanen throws a solid leg kick but Areni takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Markkanen.
Markkanen scores with a punch to the head.
Markkanen throws a one two combo.
Markkanen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Markkanen misses with a takedown attempt - Areni sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Areni tries to counter with a takedown but Markkanen is quick to defend against it.
Hin Areni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Odin Markkanen.

Markkanen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Areni was covering up waiting for the punch and Markkanen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Areni wants to stand but Markkanen is controlling the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Areni looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Markkanen keeps Areni at a distance using the push kick.
Markkanen lands with a shot to the body.
Areni connects with a right hand. Markkanen shakes it off.
Odin Markkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Markkanen throws an overhand right that lands on Areni's shoulder, as Areni tries to avoid the shot.
Areni changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Jab by Markkanen.
Areni lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Markkanen at a distance.

Markkanen closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Areni's guard.
Areni wants to get back to his feet but Markkanen passes into half guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markkanen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Areni pushes Markkanen off looking to stand but Markkanen dives back in and keeps control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen is keen to just control but Areni is a slippery customer.
Markkanen thows a huge punch but Areni dodges it nicely.
Areni won't allow Markkanen to pass to mount.
Markkanen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Areni defending well though.
Markkanen trying to pass the guard but Areni defending well.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Markkanen connects with a nice short shot to Areni's temple.
Areni slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Areni is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Markkanen is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areni manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Markkanen manages to get himself to full guard.

Areni not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Markkanen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Markkanen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Areni haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Markkanen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areni wants to stand but Markkanen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Markkanen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Areni wanted to stand there but Markkanen had control of the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Areni throws a body kick that misses.
Markkanen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Markkanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Markkanen throws a hook but Areni avoids it easily.
Areni drops down looking for a counter takedown but Markkanen sprawls and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Markkanen misses.
Sloppy strikes from Markkanen. Those never looked like landing.
Areni is looking to counter punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Markkanen. Areni does a little dance to reset his feet.
Markkanen throws a lazy right hand but Areni sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Areni misses the shot to the body.
Markkanen cracks Areni with an open hand slap.
Markkanen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A nice leg kick from Areni, right into the meat of the thigh.
Areni takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Markkanen scores with a decent looking hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Areni throws a chopping leg kick but Markkanen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Markkanen misses with a head kick.
The crowd cheers as Markkanen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Areni doesn't seem phased though.
Areni takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Odin Markkanen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Markkanen takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Odin Markkanen has been cut.
Markkanen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Markkanen lands a jab.
Areni scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Markkanen shoots in and drives through. Areni sprawls well.
Areni appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jab from Markkanen.
Markkanen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A swing and a miss from Markkanen.
Areni has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Markkanen.
Areni scores with the left hand. Markkanen knows he should have avoided that one.
Markkanen misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice straight punches there by Markkanen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Markkanen.
Markkanen shoots in and drives through. Areni sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areni misses with a kick to the body.
Markkanen with a hook.
Areni staying out of range there.
Areni throwing a counter right hand but Markkanen manages to avoid it.
Areni slips under a jab.
Markkanen throws a body shot but no joy.
Markkanen slips under a jab.
Areni blocks a jab.
Areni is looking to counter punch.
Areni finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Areni looks to land a right hand but Markkanen moved out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Areni as Markkanen shoots in.
Hin Areni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Odin Markkanen.
Markkanen shoots in for a takedown but Areni shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Areni works Markkanen's body with a nice hook.
A head kick misses from Markkanen.
Areni was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Markkanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Markkanen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hin Areni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areni looks to land a left hand but Markkanen moved out of range nicely.
A big right from Markkanen misses.
Markkanen lands with a kick to the temple. Areni shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
This has been an exciting period of action!
Markkanen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Areni defends well and Markkanen ends up having to push Areni into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A cross from Markkanen lands.
Jab from Areni.
Areni uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Markkanen has time to react.
Areni scores with a leg kick.
Areni throws a big shot that misses.
Areni misses with a hook.
Markkanen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Areni looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Areni throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little jabbing left from Markkanen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areni catches Markkanen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Markkanen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Areni avoids the body shot from Markkanen.
A little feinted left hand from Areni on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Markkanen moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Areni throws out a loose jab but Markkanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Markkanen raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Areni throws a jab but it's blocked by Markkanen.
Areni is looking to land body kicks.
Markkanen throws an off balance right hand
and Areni counters with a nice body kick.
Markkanen lands a jab to the head.
Markkanen works the jab nicely.
Markkanen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Areni looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Areni wants to slow Markkanen down by chopping away at his legs.
Areni swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Areni moves out of range of the leg kick from Markkanen.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Markkanen.
Areni walks into a left hand.
Areni throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Areni has taken the fight to the clinch.
Areni taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Areni prevents Markkanen from breaking the clinch.
Areni lands a left hand.
Areni misses with a punch on the inside.
Areni lands a shoulder strike.
Areni misses with a body punch.
Areni swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Still in the clinch, Areni scores with a nice short uppercut.
Areni swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Areni misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hin Areni showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Markkanen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Odin Markkanen!
During a confident post fight interview, Odin Markkanen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.