PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pekka Lipponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cesar Romero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lipponen comes to the cage accompanied by Rainbow - Man on the Silver Mountain. Romero is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: T Pain & Hot Dollar - Who The Fuck Is That. Pekka Lipponen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Lipponen
vs
Romero

191 cm
23
279 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

192 cm
21
280 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

M/S Paint Fightwear **Laundry service**

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pekka Lipponen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cesar Romero!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Romero throws a body punch but Lipponen moves out of range.
Romero with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Romero throws an off balance right hand
and Lipponen counters with a stiff right hand.
Romero bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Romero misses with a wild body shot.
Romero shoots in for a takedown but Lipponen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Romero misses with a lunging right hand
and Lipponen counters with a head kick.
Romero jabs Lipponen right on the nose. Lipponen blinks but takes it well.

It looks like Pekka Lipponen has been cut.
Lipponen tests Romero's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lipponen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Romero throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Lipponen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Romero shoots in looking for a takedown but Lipponen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Romero's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Romero misses with a left hand
letting Lipponen counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romero tests Lipponen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Lipponen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Romero swings widly with a right hand
and Lipponen counters with a stiff right hand.
Romero shoots and misses
and Lipponen counters with a nice body shot.
Pekka Lipponen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cesar Romero.
Lipponen throws a head kick that Romero semi-blocks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Romero throws a hook but Lipponen blocks it.

Romero fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Lipponen sprawls well initially but Romero persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Romero is pressing down on Lipponen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lipponen is holding on for now.
Lipponen is controlling Romero's trapped leg to prevent Romero from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Romero throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Lipponen wants to get back to full guard.
Romero sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lipponen defending well though.
Lipponen is trying to maintain the position but Romero is very close to passing his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Romero working Lipponen over with strikes.
Lipponen wants to improve his position but Romero is controlling well.
Romero lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Romero takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romero lands with a punch from half guard.
Romero wants to free his trapped foot but Lipponen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Romero slips a nice elbow through Lipponen's hands, connecting with Lipponen's forehead.

Pekka Lipponen's cut is getting worse.

Lipponen looking for submissions off his back.
Romero sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Lipponen defending well though.
Romero missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lipponen regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lipponen keeping moving, preventing Romero from controlling successfully.
Romero landing some decent shots from guard.
Lipponen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Romero postures up in Lipponen's guard and throws a big left but Lipponen blocks it.
Lipponen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Romero with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lipponen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lipponen keeping moving, preventing Romero from controlling successfully.
Lipponen can't keep his opponent in guard - Romero advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cesar Romero dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pekka Lipponen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Romero misses with a combination
and Lipponen makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Romero really felt that one!
Lipponen lands a nice shot that snaps Romero's head back.
Romero has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lipponen finds it's way round the side to connect with Romero's head.
Romero misses with a hook
and Lipponen counters with a nice low kick that buckles Romero's knee momentarily.
Lipponen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Jab by Lipponen.
Romero fails with the takedown
and Lipponen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Romero thinking.
Romero takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Lipponen throws a hook but Romero avoids it easily.
Lipponen defending well as Romero loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lipponen tries to sprawl but Romero drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Lipponen punching from the bottom.
Lipponen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Romero's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Romero's back!

Romero showing good submission defense here.
Romero is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Lipponen.
Romero is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Lipponen missing with strikes from the back.
Romero looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
I really don't envy Romero right now.
Romero is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Lipponen off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lipponen doesn't have the hooks in and Romero manages to turn into his guard.
Romero wants to control from the top but Lipponen keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lipponen controls Romero momentarily but Romero frees himself.
Romero wants to control from the top but Lipponen keeps moving.
Lipponen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Romero!
Romero tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lipponen punishing his opponent with strikes.
Lipponen scoring with strikes but Romero is staying in there.
Lipponen lands a big elbow - Romero is in trouble! More strikes from the mount and Romero is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Pekka Lipponen!
Pekka Lipponen retains his heavyweight title!