PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Josh Robertson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juho Pennanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Robertson might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to State of the union by Rise Against. Josh Robertson could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Juho Pennanen's chin.

Robertson
vs
Pennanen

182 cm
19
198 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

182 cm
23
184 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Shotokan Combat Nutrition/10$ 150Q/VIDPROOF!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Josh Robertson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Juho Pennanen!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Joseph Jones and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pennanen steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Robertson. That one must have hurt.
Pennanen blocks the body kick.
Pennanen shoots for a takedown but Robertson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pennanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Robertson manages to avoid it.
Robertson digs a good hook to Pennanen's body.
Robertson misses with a straight left.
Robertson misses with a body kick.
Robertson with a hook.
Robertson slaps away a takedown attempt from Pennanen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Robertson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Pennanen is able to avoid easily.
Robertson lands a lovely overhand right.

Pennanen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Pennanen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robertson tries to hold on but Pennanen pushes him away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Robertson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Pennanen wants to control the pace but Robertson is squirming around nicely.

Pennanen looking for a guillotine from mount but Robertson is having none of it.
Pennanen throws some wild stikes that Robertson manages to avoid easily.
Robertson sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Pennanen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Robertson has managed to free his arm - good work.
Pennanen looks gassed!
Robertson wants to improve his position but Pennanen is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Pennanen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Robertson trying to control here.

Pennanen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Robertson wants to get back to full guard.
Robertson wants to get back to his feet.

Pennanen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Robertson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pennanen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robertson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Pennanen backs up against the cage.

It looks like Juho Pennanen has been cut.
Robertson tries to work over Pennanen's front leg with a kick but Pennanen checks it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Robertson.
Robertson throws a right and a left that both miss.
A combination from Robertson does no damage.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Robertson.
Robertson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Robertson misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pennanen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Josh Robertson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juho Pennanen.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Robertson does it's job there.
Pennanen shoots in and drives through. Robertson sprawls well.
Pennanen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Robertson circles away.
Josh Robertson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Robertson lands a head kick. Pennanen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Pennanen blocks a low kick nicely.
Robertson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Some wild striking there from Robertson.
No joy there for Pennanen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Robertson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Juho Pennanen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pennanen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Robertson to the mat! Robertson manages to get full guard.
Robertson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Pennanen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Robertson scores with a couple of nice shots.

Pennanen actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pennanen wants to get back to full guard but Robertson has passed into side control.
Robertson pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Pennanen takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Pennanen is breathing heavily.
Pennanen tries to reverse the position but Robertson maintains control.
Robertson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Pennanen is bucking up trying to escape but Robertson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robertson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Pennanen working to try and regain half guard.
Pennanen sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Pennanen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Robertson seems to be working for a kimura but Pennanen defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Pennanen moves into full guard.

Pennanen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Robertson passes into side control.
Robertson lands some shots froms side control.
Robertson is working Pennanen over with some ground and pound from side control.
Robertson works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Pennanen is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Pennanen is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pennanen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Robertson winds up and cracks Pennanen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Robertson is keen to just control but Pennanen is a slippery customer.
Robertson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Pennanen looking for submissions off his back.
Robertson trying to control the action but Pennanen is working from the bottom.
Pennanen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Robertson tries to land a front kick but Pennanen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Josh Robertson is winning the standup battle so far.
Pennanen shoots for a takedown but Robertson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Robertson misses with an uppercut.
Robertson tried to score with a low kick but Pennanen checks it.
Robertson throws a hook to the side of Pennanen's head but Pennanen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Pennanen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Pennanen trying to control the action but Robertson is working from the bottom.
Robertson regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Robertson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Juho Pennanen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A leg kick checked by Pennanen.
Horrible takedown by Pennanen or perhaps it was just good defense by Robertson which made him look bad.
Robertson tries to work over Pennanen's front leg with a kick but Pennanen checks it.
Robertson missing with a left hand there. Pennanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pennanen on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Robertson misses with a double jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pennanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Robertson.
Josh Robertson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Robertson tries to score with a low kick but Pennanen moves his leg out of the way.
Pennanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Robertson pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robertson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Pennanen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Robertson circles away.
An inside leg kick lands from Robertson.
Robertson misses with a looping left.
Pennanen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Josh Robertson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juho Pennanen.
Pennanen fails with the takedown.
Robertson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Pennanen backs up against the cage.
Robertson tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Pennanen is able to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pennanen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Good leg kick by Robertson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Robertson attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Good work by Pennanen as he checks the leg kick.
Robertson throws a hook to the side of Pennanen's head but Pennanen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Robertson throws a body punch but Pennanen moves out of range.
Robertson throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Pennanen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pennanen blocks the body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Robertson tries to work over Pennanen's front leg with a kick but Pennanen checks it.
Robertson throws a chopping leg kick but Pennanen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A head kick from Robertson lands but Pennanen takes it in his stride.
Pennanen throws a combination. Robertson tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Pennanen shoots for a takedown but Robertson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Robertson misses the jab.
Robertson throws a low kick, looking for Pennanen's leg but Pennanen calmly moves out of range.
Robertson misses with a combination

so Pennanen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Pennanen works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pennanen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Juho Pennanen has got the better of the ground game so far.

Pennanen wants to work for an arm triangle but Robertson is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pennanen prevents Robertson from standing back up.

Pennanen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Robertson moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Pennanen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Robertson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Pennanen, into his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Pennanen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Robertson passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Robertson clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Juho Pennanen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Robertson throws a body kick the misses

and Pennanen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Robertson trying to control from the bottom.

Robertson makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

Pennanen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Pennanen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Robertson, who protects the arm well.
Robertson manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Robertson trying to control the action but Pennanen is working from the bottom.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Pennanen looking for submissions off his back.
Robertson is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robertson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Robertson works his way into full mount!
Pennanen tries to reverse the position but Robertson maintains control.
Robertson trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Pennanen tries to reverse the position but Robertson maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Pennanen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Robertson landing strikes, looking to finish!
Pennanen is in all sorts of trouble here.
Robertson controlling the position easily from mount.
Robertson lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Robertson cracks Pennanen with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pennanen can't escape the position.
Robertson raining down shots from the mount!
Robertson working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Pennanen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The referee warns Pennanen that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Pennanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Robertson raining down shots from the mount!
Robertson is landing with some decent strikes but Pennanen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robertson unloading with bombs!
A nice elbow there by Robertson.
Pennanen is bucking up trying to escape but Robertson cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Robertson lands with some strikes.
Pennanen can't escape the position.
Robertson scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Robertson cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

Pennanen is rocked!
Robertson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pennanen is looking to escape.
Pennanen is desperately trying to improve his position but Robertson has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Robertson working for a submission but Pennanen is keeping him at bay.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Robertson had his way with Juho Pennanen in that round.
The cut man is working on Juho Pennanen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Robertson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Robertson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Robertson lands a front kick.
Robertson throws a nice looking combination but Pennanen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Robertson misses with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Robertson loads up on a big right hand but Pennanen slips the punch.
Robertson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pennanen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Robertson avoids it really well and circles away.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Robertson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Pennanen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Robertson but Robertson pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pennanen checks the leg kick.
Robertson scores with the left hand. Pennanen knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Pennanen moves out of range as Robertson strikes.
Pennanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
An inside leg kick from Robertson misses.

Pennanen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Robertson was covering up waiting for the punch and Pennanen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Pennanen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Pennanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Robertson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Robertson trying to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pennanen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pennanen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Robertson is looking to stand up but Pennanen isn't so interested in that idea.
Pennanen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pennanen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Robertson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Robertson looks to land a body kick but Pennanen moved away.
Pennanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Robertson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pennanen.
Josh Robertson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juho Pennanen.
Robertson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Pennanen gets the takedown into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Robertson tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Pennanen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Pennanen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Robertson, who protects the arm well.
Robertson struggling a bit here.

Pennanen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Robertson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Pennanen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juho Pennanen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Robertson 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 49:46
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 49:46
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Robertson!
Josh Robertson is the new middleweight champion!