PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Lower (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henri Eskola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lower
vs
Eskola

170 cm
23
150 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

180 cm
26
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Lower!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Henri Eskola!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lower is looking to clinch but Eskola is avoiding it.

Lower gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Eskola moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Eskola wants to sweep but no luck.
Eskola working a defensive guard here.
Eskola is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lower throws an elbow that misses. Eskola uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Lower's guard. Nice move by Eskola!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lower has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Eskola drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Lower manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Eskola has Lower in his guard.
Eskola keeping moving, preventing Lower from controlling successfully.
Lower is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James Lower has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Eskola dives in and grabs Lower's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lower pushes down on Eskola's head and hops out.
Lower tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Eskola misses with a takedown attempt - Lower sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lower keeps the fight on the outside.
Lower avoids the head kick by Eskola.
Lower misses with a hook.
James Lower seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lower throws a body kick that misses.

Lower drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Eskola wants to control but Lower postures up.
Lower takes a little break here. Eskola wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Eskola is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lower off and has taken his back!

Eskola has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Lower! Can he survive? No! He's out! Eskola gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Henri Eskola!