PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Verney Lapierre (ranked 1403 p4p, 3841 weight class) and Ari Katajamaki (ranked 104 p4p, 240 weight class). Lapierre comes to the cage accompanied by Sugar. 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?

Lapierre
vs
Katajamaki

156 cm
27
142
13 - 6 - 0

162 cm
26
135
7 - 13 - 2

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

ZERO Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Verney Lapierre!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Ari Katajamaki!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Lapierre misses.
Lapierre stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Katajamaki has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lapierre tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Katajamaki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Lapierre swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Lapierre swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Katajamaki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Lapierre is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Lapierre misses with the head strike.
Katajamaki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Lapierre on the inside.
Katajamaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Lapierre gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Lapierre misses with some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Katajamaki has Lapierre pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Katajamaki pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Lapierre tumbling to the mat - Katajamaki dives into Lapierre's guard.
Lapierre utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Katajamaki working some strikes from top position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lapierre is looking for a triangle but Katajamaki pushes his legs off easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lapierre escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Katajamaki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Katajamaki must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Katajamaki scoring with punches to the head and body.
Katajamaki landing some decent shots from guard.

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

Katajamaki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Lapierre has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Katajamaki has managed to get both his arms back between Lapierre's legs - danger averted.
Katajamaki scoring with punches to the head and body.

Lapierre has his foot on Katajamaki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Katajamaki works his way back into a safe position though.
Katajamaki is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lapierre avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Lapierre is looking for a triangle but Katajamaki pushes his legs off easily.

Lapierre throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Katajamaki scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Katajamaki lands a couple of digs.
Katajamaki lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Lapierre had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Katajamaki defends it easily.
Katajamaki connects with a couple of short punches.

Lapierre is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Katajamaki postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Katajamaki's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Katajamaki connects with a couple of short punches.

Lapierre is rocked!
Katajamaki postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Oh Lapierre is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Katajamaki scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Katajamaki loads up on a big left hand. Lapierre felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Katajamaki looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Lapierre can't hide his disappointment, as Katajamaki celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ari Katajamaki!
A victorious Ari Katajamaki thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.