PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Abu Al Zarqawi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Weltto Wirtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wirtanen has chosen Mt Eden Dubstep - Sierra Leone as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Al Zarqawi
vs
Wirtanen

180 cm
25
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

168 cm
21
195 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abu Al Zarqawi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Weltto Wirtanen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Al Zarqawi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wirtanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Al Zarqawi.
Al Zarqawi throws a sloppy body shot
and Wirtanen counters with a straight right hand.
Al Zarqawi just misses with a punch to the body.
Wirtanen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Al Zarqawi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Al Zarqawi thows a body shot but no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Zarqawi swings for the body but Wirtanen moves out of range.
Wirtanen tries for a takedown but Al Zarqawi circles away easily

and Al Zarqawi counters with a takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Zarqawi trying to control the position but Wirtanen is working away.
Al Zarqawi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Al Zarqawi cracks Wirtanen with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Wirtanen is trying to control Al Zarqawi's posture but Al Zarqawi avoids it.
Wirtanen parries the strikes from Al Zarqawi easily there. Al Zarqawi is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Wirtanen to escape.
Al Zarqawi connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Wirtanen some visible discomfort.

Al Zarqawi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Wirtanen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Al Zarqawi's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wirtanen tries to get to full guard but Al Zarqawi has control of the leg.
Al Zarqawi is looking to take a break and control but Wirtanen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Al Zarqawi 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.

Al Zarqawi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Wirtanen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Al Zarqawi works his way into full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Al Zarqawi looking to finish with strikes here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Al Zarqawi working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Wirtanen tries to hold on but Al Zarqawi postures up.
Al Zarqawi wants to control the pace but Wirtanen is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wirtanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wirtanen tries to hold on but Al Zarqawi postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Al Zarqawi thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Al Zarqawi raining down shots from the mount!
Al Zarqawi throwing strikes here but Wirtanen is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Al Zarqawi tries to control but Wirtanen wriggling away.

Wirtanen has left one of his arms exposed and Al Zarqawi doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Wirtanen screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Abu Al Zarqawi!