PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Odin Markkanen (ranked 89 p4p, 144 weight class) and Graham Mantle (ranked 10 p4p, 14 weight class). 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
Mantle

170 cm
33
150
14 - 1 - 0

169 cm
34
145
25 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Northern Zombie
Shadow Realm Apparel

New Standard
Brooklyn Apothecary

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Odin Markkanen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Graham Mantle!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Paul Tew and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mantle throws a body punch but Markkanen moves out of range.
Markkanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mantle throws out the jab.
Markkanen lands a leg kick that knocks Mantle off balance momentarily.
Mantle swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mantle chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Markkanen can pounce on him.

Mantle tries to sprawl but Markkanen drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Mantle gets back to full guard.
Mantle 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markkanen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantle controlling Markkanen's posture.
Mantle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Markkanen is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mantle looking to hit a scissor sweep but Markkanen is one step ahead there.
Mantle utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Markkanen wants to control from the top but Mantle keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Mantle tries to move into range but Markkanen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Mantle moves out of range as Markkanen strikes.
Good shot there by Mantle.
The fighters circling - Mantle throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Mantle defending well as Markkanen loads up on a big left hand.
Mantle appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Mantle ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Odin Markkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mantle defending well as Markkanen loads up on a big left hand.
Mantle on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Mantle defending well as Markkanen loads up on a big left hand.
Markkanen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mantle throws out a loose jab but Markkanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Markkanen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Mantle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markkanen.
Mantle slips under a jab from Markkanen.
A jab from Mantle misses.
Mantle lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Markkanen circles away quickly and effectively.
Markkanen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mantle.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mantle! But no joy.
Mantle closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Markkanen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A countering left hand to the body from Mantle misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Markkanen throws a hook but Mantle avoids it easily.
Mantle misses with a looping right.
Mantle misses with a wild body shot.
Mantle looks to throw the jab but Markkanen is out of range.
A nice leg kick from Markkanen, right into the meat of the thigh.
Markkanen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Mantle moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Markkanen avoids the body shot from Mantle.
Markkanen throws a leg kick
letting Mantle counter with a right hand.
A shot to the liver by Mantle. Beautiful body shot.
Mantle cracks Markkanen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Mantle lands with a shot to the body.
Markkanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mantle.
Markkanen lands a leg kick that knocks Mantle off balance momentarily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mantle lands a jab to Markkanen's midsection.
Mantle misses the shot to the body.
Markkanen misses with a leg kick.
Mantle swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Markkanen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mantle checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Markkanen throws a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Mantle missing with a left hand there. Markkanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Markkanen misses with a wild combination.
Mantle looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Mantle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mantle tries to close the distance and clinch up but Markkanen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Markkanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mantle.

Markkanen drives through with a takedown into guard.
Markkanen wants to pass the guard but Mantle is keeping the position.
Markkanen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mantle is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
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 pivots, looking for a leg kick but Mantle is out of range and Markkanen settles back down.
Mantle swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A jab from Mantle misses.
Mantle misses the jab.
Left hook, right uppercut from Markkanen.
Markkanen with a nice calf kick.
Markkanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mantle jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Markkanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mantle can do to turn this around?
A low kick lands for Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mantle darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Markkanen throws a series of strikes that have Mantle backpedaling.
Jab from Mantle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Markkanen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Mantle feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Markkanens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Markkanen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mantle was covering up waiting for the punch and Markkanen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Markkanen looking to sit in guard and control but Mantle gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mantle trying to control but Markkanen is working from the bottom.
Markkanen wants to sweep but no luck.
Mantle throws a strike but Markkanen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mantle looking for a sweep. Not yet Mantle, not yet.
Mantle utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Odin Markkanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Markkanen is looking to work some ground and pound but Mantle has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen wants to control from the top but Mantle keeps moving.
Mantle has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Markkanen has passed into side control.
Mantle is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Markkanen off and has taken his back!
Markkanen trying to control but not successfully.
I really don't envy Markkanen right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Mantle avoiding Markkanen 's attempts to control his hands.
Markkanen covers up after that shot from Mantle.
Mantle is riding his opponent, not letting Markkanen buck him off.
Mantle doesn't have the hooks in and Markkanen manages to turn into his guard.
Mantle wants to sweep but no luck.
Mantle seems keen to control Markkanen's posture.
Mantle 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Mantle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markkanen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Mantle has his hands on Markkanen's head, controlling the position.
Markkanen stopping the sweep attempt from Mantle.
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.
That's time! Back to the action!

Markkanen connects with an inside leg kick.
Markkanen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Decent striking displayed by Markkanen there.
Mantle takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Mantle tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Markkanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Mantle.
Markkanen swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
No joy there for Markkanen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Markkanen with a hook.
Markkanen lands the left hand.
Markkanen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mantle counters with a left to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Mantle checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
A nice leg kick from Markkanen, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mantle's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Mantle throws an overhand right that lands on Markkanen's shoulder, as Markkanen tries to avoid the shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Markkanen. That's going to slow Mantle down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markkanen throws a hook but Mantle blocks it.
A swing and a miss from Markkanen.
Markkanen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mantle sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Mantle checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Markkanen with a hook.
Markkanen thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle looks to score with a jab to the body but Markkanen is just out of range.
Mantle avoids the body shot from Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Markkanen swinging wildly here.
Mantle lands with a hook. Markkanen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Markkanen connects with an inside leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Markkanen.
A low kick from Markkanen misses
letting Mantle counter with a right hand.
Markkanen lunges at Mantle with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mantle's hand.
Mantle slaps away a takedown attempt from Markkanen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Odin Markkanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Markkanen throws out a loose jab but Mantle uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jab from Mantle.
Markkanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Mantle ducks under a wild hook from Markkanen.
Markkanen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle checks a low kick from Markkanen.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mantle blocks a low kick nicely.
Mantle misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markkanen.
Markkanen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mantle.
Mantle lands with a good body shot.
The fighters circling - Markkanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Markkanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mantle wants to counter with a clinch but Markkanen pushes him away.
Markkanen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mantle.
Mantle works the jab nicely.
Markkanen is looking to score with low kicks.
Danga de danga de dang - Mantle scores with a four punch combination!
A slow jab from Markkanen misses its intended target.
Mantle stuns Markkanen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Markkanen misses with an uppercut
and Mantle counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Mantle looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Markkanen takes a jab right on the kisser.
A low kick from Markkanen is predictable there
and Mantle cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Markkanen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Markkanen misses with a leg kick
and Mantle counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Good work by Mantle as he checks the leg kick.
Markkanen shoots in but Mantle avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Markkanen throws a lazy uppercut
and Mantle counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Markkanen thinking.
Markkanen shoots for a double leg takedown but Mantle sprawls well. He's pushed Markkanen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A countering left hand to the body from Mantle misses.
Markkanen with a nice cross.
Markkanen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Mantle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Odin Markkanen is winning the standup battle so far.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Mantle moves out of range.
A punch combination from Mantle misses.
Markkanen lands a jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from Markkanen.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mantle checks a leg kick.
Mantle throws a looping overhand right but Markkanen ducks down to avoid it.
Markkanen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantle swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A telegraphed right hand from Markkanen misses the target.
Mantle looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice uppercut there from Mantle.
Markkanen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mantle is out of range.
Mantle takes a swing at Markkanen's ribcage but misses.
Markkanen bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Mantle's head.
Markkanen misses with an uppercut.
Decent striking displayed by Markkanen there.
The fighters circling - Markkanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A countering left hand to the body from Mantle misses.
Mantle 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.
The fighters circling - Mantle throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jab from Mantle.
Mantle uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Markkanen.
Mantle checks a low kick from Markkanen.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mantle lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Mantle throws a body shot but no joy.
Markkanen throws a jab but it's blocked by Mantle.
Markkanen misses with a wild combination.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Graham Mantle just about did enough to take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mantle misses the shot to the body.
Mantle jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Markkanen misses with a low kick as Mantle jumps back.
Markkanen throws a body punch but Mantle moves out of range.
Markkanen moves out of range of the strikes.
Mantle slaps away a takedown attempt from Markkanen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Mantle tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Markkanen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Markkanen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mantle.
Mantle throws a body shot but no joy.
Markkanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mantle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mantle misses with a wild body shot.
Markkanen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Mantle stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Markkanen.
Mantle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Markkanen manages to avoid it.
Mantle throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Markkanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle misses the jab.
Markkanen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Markkanen throws a leg kick which misses Mantle's front leg but catches the back leg as Mantle tries to avoid it.
Mantle scores with a punch to the head.
Markkanen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Markkanen slips a straight right by Mantle.
A low kick lands for Markkanen.
Markkanen scores with a jab.
Markkanen misses with a leg kick
and Mantle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Markkanen throws a head kick but Mantle moves out of range.
Mantle lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Mantle works Markkanen's body with a nice hook.
Markkanen lands a right hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mantle keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Markkanen.
Markkanen drops his hands momentarily and Mantle takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Mantle misses with a wild body shot.
Mantle tries to clinch up but Markkanen circles away and keeps his distance.
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.

Mantle scores with a takedown into Markkanen's guard.
Mantle sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen wants to sweep but no luck.
Mantle looking to sit in guard and control but Markkanen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Markkanen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mantle seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Markkanen with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mantle lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Markkanen seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Mantle with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mantle sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mantle trying to control the position from guard on top but Markkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mantle throwing strikes from guard but Markkanen blocks nicely.
Mantle wants to pass the guard but Markkanen is keeping the position.

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.
Markkanen keeping moving, preventing Mantle from controlling successfully.
Mantle is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Mantle trying to control but Markkanen is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Markkanen misses with a head kick.
Mantle lands with an uppercut that bounces Markkanen off the cage and back into range.
Mantle tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Markkanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Mantle.
Markkanen lands an overhand right.
Markkanen throws a low kick, looking for Mantle's leg but Mantle calmly moves out of range.
Markkanen connects with a looping right hand.
An inside leg kick from Markkanen misses.
Markkanen sets himself, and Mantle steps forward looking for the clinch! Markkanen avoids it this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Graham Mantle dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Markkanen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Mantle misses with an uppercut.
Jab by Mantle.
Mantle misses with a looping left.
Markkanen takes one to the side of the head.
Mantle slips a jab from Markkanen.
Markkanen misses with a head kick.
The fighters circling - Mantle throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Markkanen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Markkanen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Markkanen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Markkanen needs to keep his hands up - Mantle had a free shot at his head there.
Mantle needs to keep his hands up - Markkanen had a free shot at his head there.
Markkanen scores with a nice strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Markkanen tries to land a leg kick but Mantle saw it coming and moves away.
Mantle waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Markkanen.
Mantle moves out of range of the leg kick from Markkanen.
Markkanen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mantle! But no joy.
Mantle blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mantle takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Mantle pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Markkanen scores with a jab to the head.
Mantle throws a combination. Markkanen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Markkanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mantle looks to throw the jab but Markkanen is out of range.
Markkanen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mantle is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mantle! But no joy.
Markkanen throws a leg kick but Mantle sees it coming and moves out of range.
Markkanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Markkanen with a nice cross.

Markkanen looking to score a takedown here. Mantle is defending well but Markkanen drives through and ends up in Mantle's guard.
Markkanen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Markkanen is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mantle is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mantle has escaped and now he's on top!

Mantle's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mantle is in close to Markkanen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Mantle trying to control the position from guard on top but Markkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markkanen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Mantle wants to control from the top but Markkanen keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mantle keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Markkanen's head.
Mantle postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Mantle lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mantle controlling from the top position.
Mantle trying to control the position from guard on top but Markkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Mantle throws a looping overhand right but Markkanen ducks down to avoid it.
Mantle throws a right hand that Markkanen ducks under and follows up with a left that Markkanen also avoids with ease.
Mantle comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Markkanen misses with a straight right.
Markkanen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Markkanen lands a jab-cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mantle avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mantle now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Mantle takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Mantle moves away from the strike by Markkanen.
A countering left hand to the body from Mantle misses.
Mantle lands an overhand right.
Mantle uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Markkanen.
Markkanen misses with a hook. Mantle ducked under it nicely.
Mantle has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Markkanen.
Markkanen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Mantle has time to react.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Markkanen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Markkanen with a poor takedown
and Mantle connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mantle throws a hook but Markkanen avoids it easily.
Mantle moves into range and connects with a jab.
Mantle is looking to clinch.
Markkanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mantle throws out the jab.
A slow jab from Mantle misses its intended target.
Markkanen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Markkanen shoots in and drives through. Mantle sprawls well.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Odin Markkanen.
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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 49:47
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 49:46
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Odin Markkanen!
Odin Markkanen is the new featherweight champion!
After winning the bout, Odin Markkanen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.