PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joonas Mustonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lenny Nero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Mustonen
vs
Nero

167 cm
23
140 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

175 cm
23
146 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joonas Mustonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lenny Nero!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nero throws a push kick but Mustonen slaps the foot to one side.
Mustonen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nero counters with a stiff right hand.
Mustonen stuns Nero with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Mustonen lands a right hook to the body.
Mustonen misses with an uppercut.
Nice cross by Mustonen.
Nero scores with a jab to the head.
Mustonen lands the left hand.
Mustonen misses with an uppercut. Nero saw that one coming.
A big left from Nero misses.
Mustonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nero but Nero pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nero misses with a straight left.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nero is defended easily by Mustonen.
Nero does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Mustonen lands a really nice looking cross but Nero seems unphased.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nero shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mustonen as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Mustonen checks a low kick from Nero.
A shot to the liver by Mustonen. Beautiful body shot.
Nero displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mustonen throws out the jab.
Mustonen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

Mustonen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Nero on his heels. He'll look to pass Nero's guard now, I'm sure.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Nero keeping moving, preventing Mustonen from controlling successfully.

Nero is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Nero is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Mustonen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mustonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Nero is retaining full guard.
Mustonen is pushing down on Nero's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nero is fighting to maintain full guard but Mustonen has managed to sneak the leg through.

Mustonen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mustonen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Mustonen works his way into full mount!

Mustonen looking to secure an arm triangle but Nero defends it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nero is trying desperately to improve position.

Mustonen is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Nero to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Nero shrugs it off.

Mustonen has control of Nero's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Nero regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Nero tries to reverse the position but Mustonen maintains control.
Nero slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Mustonen wants to take a breather but Nero is having none of it.
Nero is trying to get back to full guard.
Mustonen is thwarting Nero's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nero regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mustonen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Mustonen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Mustonen is looking to advance position but Nero won't allow it.

Mustonen seems to be working for a kimura but Nero defends the submission attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nero is not content to let Mustonen control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joonas Mustonen dominated that round.
That's time! Mustonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nero stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nero wants it to stay on the feet.
Nero takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mustonen throws out a loose jab but Nero uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mustonen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nero.
Nero looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mustonen is fending him off so far but Nero persists. Nope, Mustonen circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice defenses there by Mustonen.
Nero throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nero throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mustonen's waist but Mustonen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nero off to one side.
Joonas Mustonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lenny Nero.
Mustonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mustonen cracks Nero with an open hand slap.
Nero feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Mustonens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nero lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Mustonen tries to bum rush Nero with a series of wild strikes but Nero uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nero ducks under a wild hook from Mustonen.
A jab from Nero misses.
The crowd cheers as Mustonen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nero doesn't seem phased though.
Nero throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero throws a leg kick but Mustonen moved away.
A jab from Mustonen finds it's way through Nero's defenses.
Joonas Mustonen is winning the standup battle so far.
Nero shoots for a takedown but Mustonen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nice jab there from Mustonen.
Mustonen throws an overhand right that lands on Nero's shoulder, as Nero tries to avoid the shot.
Mustonen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nero was well out of range. Poor timing from Mustonen.
No luck for Nero with that takedown attempt.

Nero gets a double leg takedown into Mustonen's guard.
Mustonen has Nero pulled in close to control his posture.
Nero stopping the sweep attempt from Mustonen.
Mustonen keeping moving, preventing Nero from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mustonen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nero trying to stand up but can't free himself from Mustonen's guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Mustonen 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.
Mustonen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mustonen keeping moving, preventing Nero from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Lenny Nero.
Mustonen fails to land the takedown.
Mustonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nero manages to avoid it.
Mustonen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nero.
Nero works over Mustonen's head and body with a nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mustonen looks to land a right hand but Nero moved out of range.
Nero takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nero needs to keep his hands up - Mustonen had a free shot at his head there.
Nero misses with a double jab.
Mustonen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
No luck for Nero with that takedown attempt.
Nero takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Mustonen misses with an uppercut. Nero saw that one coming.
Mustonen with a hook.
Mustonen tries to work over Nero's front leg with a kick but Nero checks it.
Horrible takedown by Mustonen or perhaps it was just good defense by Nero which made him look bad.
Nero jabs Mustonen right on the nose. Mustonen blinks but takes it well.
Mustonen shoots for a double leg takedown but Nero sprawls well. He's pushed Mustonen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nero throws an overhand right that lands on Mustonen's shoulder, as Mustonen tries to avoid the shot.
Lenny Nero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nero connects with a looping right hand.
Nero misses with a takedown attempt - Mustonen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mustonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nero throws a series of punches but Mustonen avoids them all with ease.
Mustonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nero lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Mustonen backs up against the cage.
Mustonen misses with a hook.
Nero misses with a takedown attempt - Mustonen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Nero misses with a lunging right hand
and Nero takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mustonen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mustonen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mustonen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nero has time to react.
Mustonen throws a looping overhand right but Nero ducks down to avoid it.
A shot to the liver by Nero. Beautiful body shot.

Mustonen shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Nero is trying to defend but Mustonen finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Joonas Mustonen will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Mustonen misses with a straight left.
Nero bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mustonen takes a swing at Nero's ribcage but misses.

Nero shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Nero was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Mustonen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
An elbow from Nero crashes against the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nero tries to stand but Mustonen is controlling his head.
Nero is working Mustonen over with some ground and pound from side control.
Mustonen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mustonen manages to get back to half guard.

Mustonen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mustonen is looking to control Nero's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mustonen avoid being mounted?
Mustonen wants to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Nero in particular looking to stall.
Mustonen wants to improve his position but Nero is controlling well.

Mustonen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nero pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nero is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Mustonen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Nero pulls his head out easily.
Mustonen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nero stopping the sweep attempt from Mustonen.
Nero postures up and lands a big shot to Mustonen's brow.

Mustonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nero doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nero manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nero throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Mustonen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mustonen trying to control the position.

Mustonen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nero defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mustonen keeping moving, preventing Nero from controlling successfully.
Nero wants to pass the guard but Mustonen is keeping the position.
Nero makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Mustonen has his foot on Nero's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nero works his way back into a safe position though.
Mustonen wants to sweep here but Nero controlling him for the moment.
Mustonen is working hard here to advance position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nero trying to control but Mustonen is working from the bottom.
Nero pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mustonen is keeping the position for now.
Nero trying to control but Mustonen is working from the bottom.
Lenny Nero has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Lenny Nero.
Nero throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mustonen's waist but Mustonen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nero off to one side.
Nero is looking to chop away at Mustonen's legs.
Nero displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Mustonen throws out the jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nero connects with the punch.
Mustonen lands a slapping body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nero fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nero looks to land a right hand but Mustonen moved out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Lenny Nero.
Well Mustonen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joonas Mustonen!
An out of breath and clearly excited Joonas Mustonen thanked FinnSubs for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).