PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Odin Markkanen (ranked 43 p4p, 73 weight class) and John Fisher (ranked 3 p4p, 5 weight class). Odin Markkanen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Markkanen
vs
Fisher

170 cm
35
150
18 - 2 - 0

175 cm
27
150
18 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Kersikov's Vitamin Clinic (160)
Shadow Realm Apparel

Black Lab Clothing
© Trap House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Odin Markkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 1, fighting out of New York, John Fisher!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fisher lands a nice shot to the body.
Fisher throws out a loose jab but Markkanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fisher punishes Markkanen's body with a nice straight punch.
Fisher waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Markkanen.
Markkanen swings widly with a right hand
and Fisher counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Markkanen lands a really nice looking cross but Fisher seems unphased.
Markkanen avoids the body shot from Fisher.
Odin Markkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fisher pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Markkanen misses with a looping right.
Nice jab there from Markkanen.
Markkanen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Fisher takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Decent striking displayed by Markkanen there.
A jab from Markkanen finds it's way through Fisher's defenses.
Markkanen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Markkanen tests Fisher's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Markkanen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fisher circles away.
Markkanen slips under a jab.
Fisher throws a big shot that misses.
Markkanen feinted with a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen scoring well with a low kick there.
John Fisher is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fisher leaves Markkanen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A jab from Fisher misses.
Markkanen catches Fisher with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Markkanen fakes the leg kick and cracks Fisher in the body.
Markkanen with the inside leg kick.
Markkanen throws a low kick, looking for Fisher's leg but Fisher calmly moves out of range.
Fisher pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fisher digs a good body shot into Markkanen's ribs.
Markkanen throws a hook but Fisher avoids it easily.
Fisher throws out a counter right but Markkanen avoids it with no problem.
Markkanen lands a jab to the nose.
Markkanen looks for a takedown but Fisher sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Odin Markkanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Markkanen drops his hands momentarily and Fisher takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

It looks like Odin Markkanen has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fisher lands a glancing blow to the side of Markkanen's head.
Markkanen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fisher.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen defending well as Fisher loads up on a big left hand.
Markkanen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Markkanen misses with a low kick.
Fisher throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fisher throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Markkanen lands a head shot.
Markkanen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Markkanen darts in looking for a takedown but Fisher gets double underhooks and turns Markkanen into the cage.

Markkanen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fisher loads up on a big right hand but Markkanen slips the punch.
Markkanen thuds his shin into the meat of Fisher's side.
Fisher is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Markkanen.
Markkanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fisher.
Fisher jabs Markkanen right on the nose. Markkanen blinks but takes it well.
Fisher takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Fisher blocks a low kick nicely.
Markkanen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fisher's sensitive parts.
Markkanen misses the jab.
Fisher misses with an uppercut. Markkanen saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen just misses with a punch to the body.
A thudding body kick lands there by Markkanen!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Markkanen.
Fisher scores with a jab to the body.
Markkanen drops his hands momentarily and Fisher takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Markkanen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Fisher just misses with a punch to the body.
Markkanen moves out of range as Fisher strikes.
Markkanen attempts a counter takedown but Fisher avoids it well and moves away.
Markkanen swings for the body but Fisher moves out of range.
Markkanen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A cross from Markkanen lands.
Markkanen is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Fisher misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markkanen.
Markkanen misses with a looping right.
Fisher misses with a body punch
and Markkanen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markkanen with a nice calf kick.
Markkanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Markkanen throws a hook but Fisher blocks it.
Fisher lands a jab to the nose.
Fisher thows a left - swing and a miss!
Markkanen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fisher looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Markkanen takes a swing at Fisher's ribcage but misses.
A jab from Markkanen misses.
Markkanen ducks under a wild hook from Fisher.
Markkanen looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Fisher takes a swing at Markkanen's ribcage but misses.
Markkanen jabs Fisher to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Markkanen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fisher! But no joy.
Fisher has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice shot lands for Markkanen.
Fisher jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fisher walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Markkanen wants to land a leg kick but Fisher is out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Odin Markkanen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Odin Markkanen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

The crowd cheers as Fisher lands an impressive looking overhand right. Markkanen doesn't seem phased though.
Fisher throws a shot from downtown. Markkanen moves away and avoids it.
Markkanen takes one on the button.
Fisher misses with a wild body shot.
Fisher throws the left hand but Markkanen avoids the punch easily.
Fisher uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Markkanen.
Markkanen misses with a looping right.
Fisher misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markkanen.
Markkanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Fisher.
Fisher throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fisher loads up on a big right hand but Markkanen slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fisher misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Markkanen.
Markkanen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Fisher is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
John Fisher seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Markkanen throws a jab but it's blocked by Fisher.
Markkanen misses with a body shot
and Fisher cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Markkanen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fisher at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Markkanen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Markkanen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

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

Markkanen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fisher trying to stand up but can't free himself from Markkanen's guard.
Fisher really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Markkanen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Markkanen is looking for a triangle but Fisher pushes his legs off easily.
Markkanen working a defensive guard here.
Fisher wants to stand but Markkanen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Markkanen working for a triangle but Fisher defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fisher tries to stand but Markkanen is controlling from the bottom.

Markkanen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Fisher wants to stand but Markkanen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Fisher got a little sloppy there for a moment and Markkanen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fisher has managed to get both his arms back between Markkanen's legs - danger averted.
Fisher wants to stand but Markkanen is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Markkanen working for a triangle but Fisher defends it easily.
Fisher tries to stand but Markkanen is controlling from the bottom.
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.
Markkanen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fisher is trying to stand up here but Markkanen is controlling him well.
Markkanen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fisher's head.
Markkanen throwing shots but Fisher is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen throwing shots but Fisher is blocking nicely.
Markkanen with the ground and pound but Fisher uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Fisher avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Markkanen postures up.
Markkanen pushing down on Fisher's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Markkanen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Fisher with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Markkanen wants to pass the guard but Fisher is defending well.

Markkanen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Markkanen misses with a head shot. Fisher uses the momentum to regain guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Odin Markkanen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Odin Markkanen's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Markkanen chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Markkanen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Fisher is staying active underneath Markkanen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fisher manages to get to full guard.
Markkanen trying to control but Fisher is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markkanen throwing strikes from guard but Fisher blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen wants to control from the top but Fisher keeps moving.
Odin Markkanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Markkanen lands a couple of digs.
Markkanen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Markkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Fisher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Markkanen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Fisher looking to control.
Fisher tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Markkanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Markkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Fisher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fisher avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Markkanen stands up over Fisher, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Markkanen throwing strikes from guard but Fisher blocks nicely.
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.
Markkanen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fisher is keeping the position for now.
Markkanen works over Fisher with some ground and pound from guard.
Markkanen throwing strikes from guard but Fisher blocks nicely.
Markkanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fisher can do anything to dispel that myth.

Markkanen is working for a kimura but Fisher is defending it quite comfortably.
Fisher is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Markkanen scores with a couple of nice shots.
Markkanen wants to control but Fisher is keeping him busy.
Fisher is looking for a sweep. Markkanen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Markkanen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Fisher with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Markkanen passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen punching from mount but Fisher doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Fisher wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Markkanen.
Markkanen looking to ground and pound but Fisher is blocking nicely.
Markkanen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Fisher is looking to escape.
Fisher trying desperately to get to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Markkanen raining down hammerfists from mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Odin Markkanen clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Odin Markkanen's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Markkanen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Markkanen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Fishers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Markkanen lands with an overhand left.

Fisher is rocked!
Fisher missing with a left hand there. Markkanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fisher is still on wobbly legs! Can Markkanen finish him?
Markkanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Fisher seems to have recovered his senses.
Markkanen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fisher can do to turn this around?
Markkanen misses with a head kick.
A jab lands there for Markkanen.
Markkanen fails with a takedown attempt.
Fisher doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Markkanen misses with a looping right.
Fisher misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Markkanen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fisher at a distance.
Markkanen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Fisher.
Markkanen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fisher circles away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fisher bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Markkanen's head.
Markkanen slips under a jab from Fisher.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Markkanen misses.
Markkanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Odin Markkanen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fisher throws a looping overhand right but Markkanen ducks down to avoid it.
Fisher gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Markkanen feints and as Fisher raises his hands in defense, Markkanen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Markkanen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Markkanen stops Fisher from standing up.
Markkanen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Markkanen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Markkanen wants to pass the guard but Fisher is keeping the position.
Markkanen is looking to work some ground and pound but Fisher has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Fisher is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Markkanen is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Fisher is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Fisher keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Markkanen blocks a jab.
Markkanen throws a looping overhand right but Fisher ducks down to avoid it.
Fisher bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fisher fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Markkanen manages to avoid it.
Fisher lands with an overhand left.
Markkanen throws a body shot but no joy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Markkanen!
Fisher lands a jab to the nose.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fisher on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A slow jab from Fisher misses its intended target.
Markkanen swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Fisher on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Fisher pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Markkanen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fisher but Fisher pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Markkanen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A jab lands there for Fisher.
Nice defenses there by Markkanen.
Markkanen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Markkanen tries to land a body kick
and Fisher counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice jab there from Markkanen.
Markkanen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fisher throws a hook but Markkanen avoids it easily.
Markkanen shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fisher throws an overhand right that lands on Markkanen's shoulder, as Markkanen tries to avoid the shot.
Fisher has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Fisher misses the shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Markkanen misses with a right hand
enabling Fisher to counter with a crisp jab.
Fisher chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Markkanen can pounce on him.
Fisher punishes Markkanen's body with a nice straight punch.
Fisher jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Markkanen looks to land a combination but Fisher avoids it well.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Markkanen connects with a looping right hand.
Fisher takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Fisher has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Fisher lands a really nice looking cross but Markkanen seems unphased.
Markkanen throws a body kick that misses.

Markkanen gets a double leg takedown into Fisher's guard.
Fisher keeping moving, preventing Markkanen from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Odin Markkanen had his way with John Fisher in that round.
The cut man is working on Odin Markkanen's cut.
That's time! Markkanen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Fisher misses with a looping left.
Markkanen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Markkanen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Markkanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Fisher's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Markkanen lands with a cross.
Markkanen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Markkanen throws a shot from downtown. Fisher moves away and avoids it.
Markkanen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Fisher swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Markkanen is looking to counter punch.
Markkanen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Fisher stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Markkanen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Markkanen.
Good work by Fisher as he checks the leg kick.
Markkanen throws a leg kick but Fisher sees it coming and moves out of range.
A little jabbing left from Fisher on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markkanen lands a head shot.
Markkanen lands with a right hand.
Fisher connects with the punch.
Markkanen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fisher at a distance.
Fisher looks to land a right hand but Markkanen moved out of range.
Markkanen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Markkanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Markkanen takes a jab right on the kisser.

Markkanen is rocked!
Markkanen loads up on a big right hand but Fisher slips the punch.
Fisher swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Nice defenses there by Markkanen.
An attempted straight right counter from Markkanen misses the target.
Fisher jabs at Markkanen's body.
Markkanen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fisher throws an off balance right hand
and Markkanen counters with a thumping low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fisher throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A jab from Markkanen misses.
John Fisher has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fisher gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Markkanen wants to control from the top but Fisher keeps moving.
Fisher is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fisher thows a huge punch but Markkanen dodges it nicely.

Fisher is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Markkanen sees it coming and defends easily.
Markkanen manages to get to full guard.

Markkanen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fisher doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fisher manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markkanen is trying to keep Fisher in close.

Markkanen looking for a guillotine here but Fisher defends easily.
Fisher wants to get up but he can't break Markkanen's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Markkanen 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.
Fisher in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Markkanen has a closed guard, preventing Fisher from standing up.

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.
Fisher working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Markkanen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Markkanen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fisher has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Markkanen is proving hard to escape from.
Markkanen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

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

Markkanen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Fisher drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fisher jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Markkanen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fisher's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Odin Markkanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Markkanen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Odin Markkanen!
Odin Markkanen seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
In defeat, John Fisher stepped up to the mic, saying 'He's champ for a reason. Good fight Odin, maybe we'll run it back one day when the belt is on the line.'.