PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Darren James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erkki Vieri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Erkki Vieri has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Darren James's chin.

James
vs
Vieri

178 cm
23
165 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

180 cm
19
163 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Darren James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Erkki Vieri!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Vieri doesn't manage to clinch there - James circles away.
James shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Vieri sprawls well. Vieri wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. James gets slowly back to his feet.
Vieri misses with a wild body shot.
Nice defenses there by James.
Vieri throws a hook but James blocks it.

Vieri closes the distance and clinches.
A nice left hand lands by Vieri.
Vieri dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Vieri tried to land a shot to the body but connects with James's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vieri lands a body shot.
Vieri lands a body shot in the clinch.
Vieri lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Vieri misses with the head strike.
Vieri lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Vieri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
James has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vieri is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Vieri swings wildly with an uppercut but James uses good head movement to avoid it.
Vieri lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of James backwards.
James's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

James is rocked!
James tries to score a body lock takedown but Vieri shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Oh James is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darren James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Vieri after a bit of a struggle.
James seems to have got his legs back now.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Vieri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vieri gets through James's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
James blocks a body shot from Vieri.
Vieri gets through James's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
James is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Vieri pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Vieri.
Vieri lands a shoulder strike.
James drops down looking for an ankle pick but Vieri pulls his leg out and moves away.
James takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Vieri slaps away a takedown attempt from James, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Donk. Vieri catches James right on the button with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vieri is looking to clinch but James is avoiding it.
James will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vieri tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but James was well out of range. Poor timing from Vieri.

Vieri clinches up with James and pushes him back against the cage.
Vieri slowing the pace effectively.
James blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vieri lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Vieri lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
James has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Vieri avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Vieri's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Vieri lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Vieri gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Vieri lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Vieri.
A left hand lands to the body for Vieri.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James blocks a body shot from Vieri.
Vieri lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Vieri tries to work over James's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Vieri - that landed with a thud.
James wants a takedown but no success here.
Vieri just leaning against James, taking a breather.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vieri works on James's body with a couple of short punches.
Vieri lands an uppercut.
Vieri lands a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erkki Vieri dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vieri tries to clinch there but James circles away.

Vieri gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
James is looking for a takedown.
Vieri misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vieri scores with a nice hook to the head.
Good body shot from Vieri.
A short left from Vieri.
James tries for a takedown. No joy.
Vieri lands a body punch.
Vieri stalling the fight.
Vieri can't find room to land a body shot as James controls the action.
Vieri lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of James backwards.
Vieri stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A right hand to the body from Vieri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Vieri lands with a light punch inside.
Vieri prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Darren James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vieri slowing the pace effectively.
Vieri lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Vieri working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Vieri stalls.
Vieri throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Vieri working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Vieri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vieri lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Vieri creates a bit of space for himself and rocks James with a big uppercut! James tries to clinch up but Vieri pushes him back against the cage and lands another monster strike that crumples James to the mat! James covers up and Vieri unloads with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:17 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Erkki Vieri!
During a confident post fight interview, Erkki Vieri thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.