PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aleksanteri Polvi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jarkhou Anakin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Polvi comes to the cage accompanied by Iron Maiden - Alexander The Great. Anakin has chosen Breaking Benjamin - Firefly as his entrance music. Jarkhou Anakin told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Polvi
vs
Anakin

183 cm
25
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

182 cm
19
196 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good knees
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleksanteri Polvi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jarkhou Anakin!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Anakin.
Anakin misses with the combination.
Anakin stuffs the takedown attempt from Polvi. Polvi gets slowly back to his feet.
Polvi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Anakin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Polvi shoots in looking for a takedown. Anakin tries to sprawl out of it but Polvi keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Anakin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Polvi takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Aleksanteri Polvi has been cut.
Anakin misses with a double jab.
Polvi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksanteri Polvi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Anakin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Polvi!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Polvi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Polvi wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Anakin landing punches.
Polvi can't escape the position.
Anakin landing shots from mount.
Polvi gets back to half guard.
Anakin is thwarting Polvi's attempts to control the position.
Anakin takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Polvi punching from the bottom.

Polvi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Polvi is breathing heavily.

Anakin stands up out of the half guard.
Anakin loads up on a big right hand but Polvi slips the punch.
Polvi misses with a takedown attempt

so Anakin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Anakin throwing strikes from guard but Polvi blocks nicely.
Anakin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Anakin connects with a couple of short punches.
Anakin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Anakin seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Polvi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Anakin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Anakin postures up in Polvi's guard and throws a big left but Polvi blocks it.
Polvi keeping full guard, as Anakin tries to pass.
Anakin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Polvi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Anakin throwing strikes from guard but Polvi blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Polvi has his foot on Anakin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Anakin works his way back into a safe position though.
Anakin postures up in Polvi's guard and throws a big left but Polvi blocks it.

Polvi working for a triangle but Anakin defends it easily.

Polvi is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Anakin can't break the clinch.
Anakin managing to block the knees to the body from Polvi.
Anakin is trying to break the clinch but Polvi is controlling him.
Anakin can't break the clinch.
Anakin can't break the clinch.
Anakin is trying to break the clinch but Polvi is controlling him.
Anakin has had enough of the clinch but Polvi keeps him there for the moment.

Anakin breaks from the clinch.
Polvi moves away from the strike by Anakin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Anakin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Polvi avoids it really well and circles away.
Polvi has his takedown stuffed

and Anakin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Polvi connects with a knee to the head.
Polvi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Anakin.
Polvi lands an elbow inside that Anakin shrugs off.
A knee to the head by Polvi.
Anakin has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Polvi looking to throw knees to the head but Anakin is blocking nicely.
Polvi utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Polvi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Anakin's efforts to push away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Polvi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Polvi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Polvi takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Polvi lands a good knee to the midsection. Anakin won't want to take too many of those.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarkhou Anakin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aleksanteri Polvi's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Polvi shoots and misses
and Anakin counters with a left and a right that stings Polvi.
Polvi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Anakin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Anakin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Aleksanteri Polvi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Anakin tries to bum rush Polvi with a series of wild strikes but Polvi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Polvi has his takedown stuffed
and Anakin counters with a two punch combo.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksanteri Polvi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Polvi shoots in for a double leg but Anakin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Polvi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Polvi tries for a takedown but Anakin circles away easily
and Anakin counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Anakin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Polvi tries for a takedown but Anakin circles away easily

and Anakin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Polvi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Polvi wants to improve his position but Anakin is controlling well.
Jarkhou Anakin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Anakin working Polvi over with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Polvi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Anakin pulls his head out easily.
Polvi is not content to let Anakin control the position.

Anakin is working for a submission of some sort.
Anakin trying to control from half guard but Polvi is working away.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Polvi with a poor takedown
and Anakin counters with a one-two to the body.

Aleksanteri Polvi's cut is getting worse.
Polvi tries to clinch up.
Polvi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Anakin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Anakin wants to clinch.

Polvi instigates a clinch.
Polvi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Anakin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Polvi.
Anakin has had enough of the clinch but Polvi keeps him there for the moment.
Anakin tries to circle away but Polvi has him pinned against the cage.
Anakin is trying to break the clinch but Polvi is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Polvi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Anakin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Anakin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Polvi landing knees to the body.

Polvi wants the takedown. Anakin is fighting it off but Polvi persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Anakin's guard against the cage.
Polvi stops Anakin from standing up.

Polvi postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Anakin is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Polvi, into his guard.
Anakin keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Polvi's head.
Anakin wants to control from the top but Polvi keeps moving.

Polvi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Anakin trying to control but Polvi is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Anakin got a little sloppy there for a moment and Polvi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Anakin has managed to get both his arms back between Polvi's legs - danger averted.
Anakin distracts Polvi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Anakin throws and elbow that misses. Polvi uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Anakin's guard. Nice move by Polvi!
Polvi passes Anakin's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Polvi stands up out of the half guard.
Polvi tries to clinch
and Anakin counters with a straight right hand.
Anakin throws a series of punches but Polvi moves out of range.

Polvi closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anakin is trying to get back to his feet.
Anakin is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Aleksanteri Polvi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Aleksanteri Polvi's cut.
That's time! Polvi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Polvi has his takedown stuffed

and Anakin counters with a shoot takedown. Polvi fights it but they end up in guard.

Polvi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Anakin lands a couple of digs.
Anakin preventing the sweep.
Anakin wants to control from the top but Polvi keeps moving.

Anakin stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Polvi has his takedown stuffed

and Anakin counters with a single leg into guard. Polvi didn't expect that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Polvi is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Anakin is controlling him.
Anakin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Polvi is trying to control the position but Anakin postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Anakin decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Polvi closes the distance and clinches.
Anakin is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Polvi lands an elbow inside.

Polvi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Polvi gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Anakin counters by moving into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksanteri Polvi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Polvi is pressed up against the cage. Anakin has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Polvi down to the mat. Polvi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Polvi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Anakin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Polvi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Anakin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Anakin misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Polvi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Polvi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Anakin is just riding it out for now. Polvi eventually gives up the hold.

Polvi is looking for a kimura but Anakin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Polvi to get the leverage.

Polvi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Anakin is just riding it out for now. Polvi eventually gives up the hold.
Anakin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anakin looking to control.

Polvi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Polvi avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Anakin is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Polvi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Anakin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Polvi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Polvi is looking to stand up but Anakin won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Anakin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Polvi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Anakin counters with a takedown into side control.
Anakin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Polvi keeps working.
Polvi wants to control but Anakin postures up.
Anakin landing a few strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Anakin throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Anakin prevents Polvi from escaping the position.
Anakin working the head with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jarkhou Anakin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Anakin 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jarkhou Anakin!