PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Mortensson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esko Takanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Mortensson
vs
Takanen

182 cm
27
170 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
179 lbs
17 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Mortensson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Esko Takanen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mortensson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Takanen.
Mortensson loads up on a big right hand but Takanen slips the punch.
Mortensson fails with the takedown.
Mortensson fails with a takedown attempt.
A jab from Takanen does it's job there.
Mortensson staying out of range there.
Mortensson blocks a leg kick.
Takanen looks to score with a jab to the body but Mortensson is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takanen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mortensson ducks under a wild hook from Takanen.
A swing and a miss from Takanen.
Takanen throws out a loose jab but Mortensson uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takanen stuffs the takedown attempt from Mortensson. Mortensson gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Mortensson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takanen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mortensson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Takanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Mortensson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Takanen defends it nicely.
Mortensson slips under a jab.
Mortensson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A jab from Takanen misses.
Takanen is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Mortensson shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

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.
A big right from Takanen misses.
Takanen misses with an uppercut. Mortensson saw that one coming.

Takanen moves into the clinch successfully.
Takanen prevents the takedown attempt.
A short uppercut from Takanen.
Mortensson can't break the clinch.
Mortensson jumps guard but Takanen stands there with Mortensson around his waist. Mortensson gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Takanen breaks from the clinch.
Takanen throws a body punch but Mortensson moves out of range.
Takanen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A jab from Takanen misses.

Mortensson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Takanen's guard.

Mortensson drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Mortensson jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Takanen trying to control the position.
Mortensson prevents Takanen from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson trying to control the position from guard on top but Takanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mortensson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Takanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Takanen has momentary wrist control but Mortensson slips an elbow through the middle.
Mortensson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Takanen is keeping the position for now.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Takanen ducks under a wild hook from Mortensson.
Takanen lands a nice hook to Mortensson's body. Mortensson takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Takanen misses with a hook. Mortensson ducked under it nicely.
Takanen throws an overhand right that lands on Mortensson's shoulder, as Mortensson tries to avoid the shot.
Takanen lands with a good body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson slips under a jab.
A cross from Mortensson lands.
Mortensson tries for a takedown but Takanen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Takanen looks to land a left hand but Mortensson moved out of range nicely.
Takanen scores with the left hand. Mortensson knows he should have avoided that one.
Mortensson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Takanen misses with a looping right.
Mortensson moves away from the strike by Takanen.
Takanen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mortensson.
Takanen throws a hook to the side of Mortensson's head but Mortensson sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Takanen dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Mortensson misses with a body shot.
Takanen throws a low kick but Mortensson avoids it.
Takanen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A telegraphed right hand from Takanen misses the target.
Esko Takanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mortensson takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Takanen swings away with a body shot that misses

and Mortensson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Takanen!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Takanen is in all sorts of trouble here.
Mortensson trying to control but Takanen is having none of it.
Mortensson avoids the attempt from Takanen to control.
Mortensson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Takanen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Mortensson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortensson throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

Mortensson has control of Takanen's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Takanen regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Takanen is hanging on here. He's in a desperate position.

Mortensson is working for a guillotine from mount but Takanen frees his head quite easily.
Mortensson avoids the attempt from Takanen to control.
Mortensson lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Mortensson prevents Takanen from getting the reversal.
Mortensson throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Takanen is trying to stand.

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.
Mortensson landing shots from mount.
Mortensson landing strikes, looking to finish!
Mortensson lands a nice shot to the head.
Mortensson looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Takanen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Mortensson has hold of Takanen's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Takanen manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Takanen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The referee warns Takanen that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
A nice elbow there by Mortensson.
Takanen wants to hold on but Mortensson pushes him away.
Mortensson landing strikes, looking to finish!
Takanen is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Takanen wants to control but Mortensson is having none of it.
Mortensson trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Mortensson working for a submission but Takanen is keeping him at bay.
Mortensson won't let Takanen get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.

Mortensson moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Takanen has worked his arm free - good work by Takanen!
Mortensson wants to control but Takanen is keeping him busy.
Takanen wants to control but Mortensson postures up.
Mortensson 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.
Mortensson misses with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mortensson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Mortensson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mortensson in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Takanen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Takanen wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Takanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mortensson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takanen avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Mortensson shoots for a double leg takedown but Takanen sprawls well. He's pushed Mortensson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jesse Mortensson dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Takanen takes a swing at Mortensson's ribcage but misses.
Takanen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mortensson circles away quickly and effectively.
A big right from Takanen misses.
Mortensson slips under a jab.
Mortensson slips under a jab from Takanen.
Takanen throws a shot from downtown. Mortensson moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Takanen misses the target.
Takanen just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Takanen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Takanen throws a low kick, looking for Mortensson's leg but Mortensson calmly moves out of range.
Mortensson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takanen lands a slapping body shot.
Mortensson ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Takanen leaves Mortensson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The fighters circling - Takanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Takanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Mortensson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Takanen avoids it really well and circles away.
Takanen throws a hook but Mortensson avoids it easily.
Mortensson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Mortensson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Takanen misses the jab.
Takanen misses with a combination

and Mortensson counters with a shoot takedown. Takanen fights it but they end up in guard.
Takanen looking for a sweep. Not yet Takanen, not yet.
Takanen keeping moving, preventing Mortensson from controlling successfully.
Mortensson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Takanen is keeping the position for now.
Takanen can't keep his opponent in guard - Mortensson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Takanen pushes Mortensson off looking to stand but Mortensson dives back in and keeps control.
Mortensson looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Takanen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mortensson.
Takanen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Takanen avoids the body shot from Mortensson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson dives in and grabs Takanen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Takanen pushes down on Mortensson's head and hops out.
Mortensson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Takanen is fending him off so far but Mortensson persists. Nope, Takanen circles away and we're back to standing.
Takanen throws a body kick that misses.
Mortensson slips under a jab from Takanen.
Mortensson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Takanen throws out the jab.
Takanen thows a body shot but no joy.
Takanen stuffs the takedown attempt from Mortensson. Mortensson gets slowly back to his feet.
Mortensson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Takanen cracks Mortensson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Takanen misses with an uppercut. Mortensson saw that one coming.
Mortensson slips a straight right by Takanen.
Mortensson avoids the body shot from Takanen.
Takanen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mortensson.
Mortensson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Takanen but Takanen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mortensson tries for a takedown but Takanen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mortensson shoots in for a double leg but Takanen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mortensson misses with a double jab
and Takanen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Mortensson thinking.
Mortensson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Takanen tries to avoid it but Mortensson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Takanen to the ground. Takanen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Takanen really dominated that round.
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.

A slow jab from Takanen misses its intended target.
Takanen cracks Mortensson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Takanen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

It looks like Jesse Mortensson has been cut.
Takanen scores with a jab. Mortensson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Takanen leaves Mortensson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mortensson shoots in looking for a takedown. Takanen tries to sprawl out of it but Mortensson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Takanen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Takanen throws an overhand right that lands on Mortensson's shoulder, as Mortensson tries to avoid the shot.
Mortensson misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Takanen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Takanen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Takanen looks to land a right hand but Mortensson moved out of range.
Takanen throws a leg kick but Mortensson checks it.
Mortensson checks a low kick from Takanen.
Takanen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The fighters circling - Takanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Takanen misses with a looping left.
Mortensson shoots in looking for a takedown. Takanen tries to sprawl out of it but Mortensson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Takanen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Mortensson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mortensson dodges the punch combination from Takanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mortensson moves away from the strike by Takanen.
Mortensson misses with a takedown
and Takanen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Takanen swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Mortensson decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Takanen's guard.
Takanen keeping full guard, as Mortensson tries to pass.
Jesse Mortensson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Takanen managing to control the position.
Let's hope that Takanen has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Takanen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Mortensson is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson looking to pass the guard.
Mortensson trying to control but Takanen is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Takanen throws an overhand right that lands on Mortensson's shoulder, as Mortensson tries to avoid the shot.
Mortensson fails with a takedown attempt.
Esko Takanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mortensson checks a leg kick.
Takanen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four 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.
Takanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mortensson manages to avoid it.
Mortensson fails to land the takedown.
Takanen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Mortensson moves out of range of the body kick from Takanen.
Takanen throws a good cross that connects.
Mortensson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Takanen.
Mortensson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Takanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Takanen dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jesse Mortensson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Takanen tries to clinch up.
Takanen scores with a hook.
Mortensson shoots in for a double leg but Takanen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Mortensson is defended easily by Takanen.
Mortensson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Takanen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mortensson somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesse Mortensson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Takanen is looking to chop away at Mortensson's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Mortensson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Mortensson lands in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortensson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Takanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mortensson stopping the sweep attempt from Takanen.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mortensson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Mortensson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Takanen's head.
Takanen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Mortensson's guard.
Mortensson has a closed guard, preventing Takanen from standing up.
Mortensson looking for a sweep. Not yet Mortensson, not yet.
Takanen has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Mortensson is proving hard to escape from.

Mortensson working for a triangle but Takanen defends it easily.
Takanen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Mortensson is working an open guard so Takanen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Mortensson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Takanen counters with a stiff right hand.
A big left from Takanen misses.

Mortensson shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Takanen's guard.
Mortensson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Takanen keeping moving, preventing Mortensson from controlling successfully.
Mortensson won't allow Takanen to get back to his feet.
Takanen controlling Mortensson's posture.
Takanen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Takanen is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortensson wants to control from the top but Takanen keeps moving.
Takanen looking for a sweep. Not yet Takanen, not yet.
Mortensson trying to control the position from guard on top but Takanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mortensson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jesse Mortensson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Esko Takanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mortensson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Takanen.
No luck for Mortensson with that takedown attempt.
Mortensson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Takanen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Takanen cracks a nice hook into Mortensson's ribs.

That's four 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.
Mortensson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Takanen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mortensson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A right-left combo lands from Takanen.
Mortensson misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Takanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mortensson just misses with a punch to the body.
Takanen misses with a hook. Mortensson ducked under it nicely.
Mortensson tries to bum rush Takanen with a series of wild strikes but Takanen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mortensson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Takanen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Esko Takanen.
I think Takanen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 46:49
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esko Takanen!
Esko Takanen is the new welterweight champion!