PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ilkka Laitinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Martinez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laitinen comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - Thunderstruck. Martinez has chosen Iced Earth - A Question of Heaven as his entrance music. Ilkka Laitinen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Laitinen
vs
Martinez

177 cm
32
165 lbs
31 - 13 - 0

178 cm
31
162 lbs
19 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $150

CEC Nutrition Q160
Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $150

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ilkka Laitinen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Richard Martinez!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martinez scores with a nice strike.
Martinez thuds his right hand into Laitinen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Martinez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Martinez throws a wild body kick that Laitinen sees coming a mile off.
Laitinen misses with a kick to the body
and Martinez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Martinez throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Laitinen throws a low kick but Martinez moves out of range easily.
Laitinen swings for the body but Martinez moves out of range.
Martinez uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Laitinen has time to react.
Laitinen misses with a straight left.
Martinez goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Laitinen avoids the body shot from Martinez.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Martinez moves out of range as Laitinen throws a body kick.
Crunch! Laitinen slams his shin into Martinez's torso.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Martinez misses with a hook
and Laitinen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Martinez throws a sloppy head kick
and Laitinen counters with a straight right hand.
Laitinen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Martinez.
Martinez lands an overhand right.
Nice straight punches there by Laitinen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Laitinen.

It looks like Richard Martinez has been cut.
Laitinen misses with a leg kick
and Martinez counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Martinez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Martinez scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Martinez misses the body punch
and Laitinen counters with an outside leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Martinez attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Laitinen misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laitinen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Martinez stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Martinez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A shot to the body from Laitinen misses
and Martinez counters with a slapping leg kick.
Martinez looks to land a body kick but Laitinen moved away.
Laitinen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Martinez.
Martinez connects with a body shot.
Laitinen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Martinez moves out of range as Laitinen strikes.
A low kick from Laitinen is predictable there
and Martinez makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Laitinen thumps Martinez with a low kick.
Martinez just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez checks a low kick from Laitinen.
Martinez ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Laitinen moves away.
Laitinen throws a looping overhand right but Martinez ducks down to avoid it.
Laitinen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Martinez is looking to slow Laitinen down with leg kicks.
Laitinen scores with the left hand. Martinez knows he should have avoided that one.
Martinez takes a swing at Laitinen's ribcage but misses.
Laitinen throws a series of punches but Martinez moves out of range.
Martinez throws a hook but Laitinen avoids it easily.
Laitinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laitinen misses with a hook.
Martinez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Laitinen can pounce on him.
Laitinen drops his hands momentarily and Martinez takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Laitinen misses the target.
Laitinen throws a leg kick
letting Martinez counter with a right hand.
Martinez ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Laitinen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Laitinen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ilkka Laitinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Martinez on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jab, jab by Laitinen - just one landing.
Martinez misses with a jab to the body
and Laitinen counters with a good, hard body kick but Martinez shrugs it off.
Laitinen misses with a leg kick
and Martinez makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Richard Martinez will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Richard Martinez's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Laitinen throws a low kick but Martinez moves out of range easily.
Martinez on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Laitinen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Martinez tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ilkka Laitinen is winning the standup battle so far.
Martinez connects with an inside leg kick.
Laitinen blocks a head kick by Martinez.
Martinez thows a body shot but no joy.
Martinez lands a leg kick that knocks Laitinen off balance momentarily.
Martinez chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Martinez shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Laitinen as he jumps to the side.
Martinez thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laitinen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Laitinen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Laitinen throws a body punch but Martinez moves out of range.
Laitinen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Martinez connects with a leg kick. Laitinen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Laitinen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Laitinen works Martinez's body with a nice hook.
Laitinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Martinez is just out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Laitinen. No joy for Martinez on that attempt.
Laitinen throws a body punch but Martinez moves out of range.
Nice defenses there by Laitinen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martinez throws out a leg kick but Laitinen moves out of range and Martinez only half commits.
A slapping body kick lands there for Laitinen.
Martinez throws a push kick but Laitinen slaps the foot to one side.
Laitinen throws a low kick but Martinez avoids it.
Laitinen throws a lazy body kick
and Martinez counters with a nice body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Martinez throws a series of punches but Laitinen moves out of range.
Laitinen looks to land a right hand but Martinez moved out of range.
Martinez throws a head kick that half lands.
Martinez throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Laitinen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Martinez just misses with a punch to the body.
Martinez tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez throws a leg kick but Laitinen moved away.
Martinez throws a head kick that misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Laitinen, right into the meat.
Martinez throws out a leg kick but Laitinen moves out of range and Martinez only half commits.
Laitinen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Martinez sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice defenses there by Martinez.
The fighters circle momentarily. Laitinen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Martinez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Laitinen catches Martinez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Martinez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Laitinen.
Martinez shoots in for a double leg but Laitinen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ilkka Laitinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Martinez.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Laitinen. Laitinen obviously looking to wear him down.
Laitinen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Martinez on the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Martinez takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Martinez punishes Laitinen's body with a nice straight punch.
An inside leg kick lands from Laitinen.
Laitinen throws a jab when Martinez was well out of range.
Martinez throws a right hand that misses
and Laitinen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Martinez misses with a straight right.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Martinez misses with a straight right.
Martinez tries for a takedown but Laitinen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Martinez takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilkka Laitinen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Richard Martinez's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Martinez throws the kick towards the body but Laitinen avoids it.
Laitinen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Martinez looks to throw the jab but Laitinen is out of range.
Martinez misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Martinez rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Laitinen counters with a three punch combo that has Martinez backing up. Martinez nods at Laitinen to acknowledge the strikes.
Laitinen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Martinez takes a step back to recover.
Laitinen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Martinez.
Martinez takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Martinez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Martinez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Laitinen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laitinen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Martinez bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Laitinen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Laitinen misses with a kick to the body.
Martinez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Laitinen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Martinez.
Laitinen throws a leg kick
and Martinez counters with a nice body shot.
Laitinen lands a jab.
Laitinen misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laitinen lands a head shot.
Laitinen thows a leg kick but Martinez checks it
and Martinez counters with a nice uppercut.
Laitinen connects with a body shot.
Martinez throws out a leg kick but Laitinen moves out of range and Martinez only half commits.
Martinez misses with a wild combination.
Laitinen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Martinez.
Martinez chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Martinez throws a lazy uppercut
and Laitinen counters with a body kick.
Martinez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Laitinen misses with a wild body shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Martinez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez throws an overhand right that lands on Laitinen's shoulder, as Laitinen tries to avoid the shot.
Laitinen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Martinez.
Laitinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Martinez.
Laitinen fakes the leg kick and cracks Martinez in the body.
Laitinen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Martinez has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Laitinen.
Laitinen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Laitinen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Laitinen motions for Martinez to come forward. Laitinen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Laitinen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Martinez.
Martinez throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Laitinen's waist but Laitinen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Martinez off to one side.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Laitinen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Laitinen slips a jab from Martinez.
Laitinen throws a one two combo.
Martinez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A looping hook to the body misses from Laitinen. Martinez does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Laitinen defending well as Martinez loads up on a big left hand.
Laitinen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Laitinen throws a shot from downtown. Martinez moves away and avoids it.
Martinez throws a leg kick that is checked
and Laitinen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Martinez throws a leg kick which misses Laitinen's front leg but catches the back leg as Laitinen tries to avoid it.
Martinez staying out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilkka Laitinen clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Richard Martinez's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Martinez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Laitinen.
Laitinen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Martinez's calf.
Laitinen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Martinez manages to avoid it.
Laitinen stuffs the takedown.
Laitinen misses with a wild body shot.
Laitinen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Martinez.
Martinez dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Laitinen. That did some damage!
A good leg kick by Laitinen.
Laitinen misses with a wild body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Laitinen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Laitinen.
A lazy body kick from Martinez
and Laitinen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laitinen slips a jab from Martinez.
Martinez uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Laitinen has time to react.
Laitinen swings for the body but Martinez moves out of range.
Laitinen misses with an uppercut. Martinez saw that one coming.
Nice defenses there by Martinez.
Laitinen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Martinez lands a lovely overhand right.
Laitinen lands a jab to Martinez's midsection.
Martinez throws a leg kick but Laitinen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Martinez chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Laitinen can pounce on him.
Martinez lands a front kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Martinez stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Laitinen.
Laitinen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Laitinen looks to throw the jab but Martinez is out of range.
A shot to the body from Laitinen misses
and Martinez connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Laitinen motions for Martinez to come forward. Laitinen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Martinez's jab looks to have found its range, popping Laitinen under the eye.
Laitinen swings for the body but Martinez moves out of range.
Martinez misses with a leg kick
letting Laitinen counter with a right hand.
Laitinen connects with a crisp jab.
Martinez misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Martinez throws a poor cross that misses
and Laitinen counters with a nice uppercut.
Martinez with a hook.
A slow jab from Laitinen misses its intended target.
Martinez takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Martinez throws a hook but Laitinen avoids it easily.
Martinez moves out of range of the body kick.
Martinez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Martinez tries to land a front kick but Laitinen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Martinez scores with a nice right hand.
Martinez throws a head kick but Laitinen moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laitinen lands with a nice body punch.
Laitinen throws out a loose jab but Martinez uses good head movement to avoid it.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Martinez.
Laitinen looks to land a combination. Martinez sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Martinez is trying desperately to land a takedown but Laitinen is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Martinez.
Martinez swings for the body but Laitinen moves out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Martinez tries for a takedown but Laitinen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ilkka Laitinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Richard Martinez.
Martinez is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Martinez finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Martinez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Laitinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ilkka Laitinen had his way with Richard Martinez in that round.
The cut man is working on Richard Martinez's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Martinez steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Laitinen. That one must have hurt.
Laitinen lands with a straight right. Martinez didn't see that one coming.
Laitinen misses with a low kick.
Laitinen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Martinez manages to avoid it.
Laitinen connects with a body shot that sends Martinez's belly button to the back.
Martinez lands a right hook to the body.
Martinez misses the body punch
and Laitinen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Martinez thows a body shot but no joy.
Laitinen throws a leg kick which misses Martinez's front leg but catches the back leg as Martinez tries to avoid it.
Laitinen throws a good cross that connects.
Laitinen connects with a solid leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Martinez.
Laitinen avoids the head kick by Martinez.
Martinez throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Laitinen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Martinez throws a low kick but Laitinen avoids it.
Martinez misses with a two punch combination.
Laitinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Martinez ducks right into an uppercut from Laitinen.

Martinez is rocked!
Martinez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Laitinen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Martinez stuns Laitinen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laitinen swings for the body but Martinez moves out of range.
Laitinen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Martinez is out of range and Laitinen settles back down.
Martinez motions for Laitinen to come forward. Martinez throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Martinez moves out of range of the strikes.
Martinez lands a nice looking kick to the body. Laitinen takes a step back to recover.
Laitinen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Martinez finds it's way round the side to connect with Laitinen's head.
Laitinen misses with a body shot
and Martinez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Laitinen catches Martinez with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Martinez pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Richard Martinez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Martinez.
Martinez has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Laitinen lands a jab.
Martinez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Laitinen.
Laitinen throws a hook but Martinez blocks it.
A swing and a miss from Martinez.
Laitinen misses with an uppercut.
Good exchange - Martinez coming out on top.
Martinez throws a leg kick that misses.
Martinez has his takedown stuffed
and Laitinen makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Martinez really felt that one!
Martinez is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Martinez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Laitinen blocks a leg kick.
A punch combination from Martinez misses.
Laitinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Martinez crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Laitinen - the referee stops the clock and Martinez gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Laitinen. Martinez manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Martinez misses with a leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Laitinen, as that shot connected.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Laitinen with a hook.
Martinez is still on wobbly legs! Can Laitinen finish him?
Laitinen cracks a nice hook into Martinez's ribs.
A slapping leg kick lands for Laitinen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilkka Laitinen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Laitinen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 50:45
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilkka Laitinen!
Ilkka Laitinen retains his lightweight title!
Ilkka Laitinen took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Milwaukee's Best 160 SALE $150 for their support in the buildup to the fight.