PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Otto Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Martin Metaxa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jokinen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Marilyn Manson - Sweet Dreams. Metaxa is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: •99• The Haunted🔫. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Martin Metaxa was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Jokinen
vs
Metaxa

190 cm
27
210 lbs
26 - 7 - 0

185 cm
27
218 lbs
14 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Perkele!
Unique Wear and Custom Design

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Otto Jokinen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Martin Metaxa!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Metaxa thows a body shot but no joy.
Jokinen cracks the inside of Metaxa's front leg.
Metaxa tries to clinch up.
Metaxa works Jokinen's body with a nice hook.
Jokinen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Jokinen tried to score with a low kick but Metaxa checks it.
Jokinen tries to work over Metaxa's front leg with a kick but Metaxa checks it.

Metaxa cracks Jokinen with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Jokinen looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Metaxa finish him?

It looks like Otto Jokinen has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Metaxa looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Jokinen has managed to clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Metaxa.
Jokinen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jokinen misses with a knee to the head.
Metaxa takes a knee right on the jaw!
Metaxa misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen crunches a lovely knee into Metaxa's ribcage.
Metaxa tries to land knees in the clinch but Jokinen avoids the damage to the body.
Metaxa works on Jokinen's body with a couple of short punches.
Metaxa creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Jokinen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Metaxa takes a knee to the side of the body.
Jokinen scores a nice knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jokinen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Metaxa throws a punch but it's blocked by Jokinen.
Jokinen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Jokinen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Metaxa smiles and moves away.
Jokinen blocks a head kick by Metaxa.
Jokinen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Metaxa needs to keep his hands up - Jokinen had a free shot at his head there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa connects with a crisp jab.
Metaxa plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Jokinen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Metaxa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Jokinen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Jokinen, right into the meat.
Jokinen is looking to chop away at Metaxa's legs.
Metaxa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jokinen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Jokinen scores with a decent looking hook.
Metaxa scores with a sloppy right hand. Jokinen should have avoided that one.
Jokinen circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen misses with a leg kick
and Metaxa counters with a nice body kick.
Metaxa checks a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Jokinen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Jokinen lands a right hook to the body.

Jokinen clinches.
Jokinen lands a hook that snaps the head of Metaxa backwards.
Jokinen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jokinen with a knee to the head.
Metaxa blocks a body shot from Jokinen.
Jokinen can't find room to land a body shot as Metaxa controls the action.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jokinen.
Metaxa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jokinen misses with a knee to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short right from Metaxa on the inside.
Jokinen digs a right hand into Metaxa's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Metaxa's gas tank.
Jokinen blocks a body shot from Metaxa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa misses with a body punch.
Jokinen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jokinen prevents a body shot from Metaxa.
Jokinen is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Metaxa to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Otto Jokinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Metaxa misses with a hook to the ribs.
Jokinen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Metaxa tries a body shot but Jokinen blocks it.
Metaxa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Metaxa.
Jokinen missing with knees to the body.
Jokinen tries to land knees in the clinch but Metaxa avoids the damage to the body.
Jokinen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Metaxa blocks it with crossed arms.
Jokinen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Metaxa blocks it with crossed arms.
Jokinen throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A shot in the inside from Metaxa.
Metaxa scores with a nice hook to the head.
Jokinen lands with a light punch inside.
Jokinen misses with a knee to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Otto Jokinen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Otto Jokinen's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Metaxa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Jokinen throws a nice outside leg kick.

Jokinen closes the distance and clinches.

Jokinen jumps guard and drags Metaxa to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Metaxa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jokinen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Metaxa has managed to get both his arms back between Jokinen's legs - danger averted.
Jokinen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Jokinen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Metaxa controls from within his opponent's guard.
Metaxa wants to get up but he can't break Jokinen's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Jokinen has his hands on Metaxa's head, controlling the position.
Jokinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Metaxa!
Jokinen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Metaxa is looking to escape.
Metaxa tries to buck Jokinen off but Jokinen takes his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen avoiding Metaxa 's attempts to control his hands.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Jokinen's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Jokinen is not going to allow Metaxa to sit and survive in this position.

Jokinen goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Metaxa escapes and is now in half guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Jokinen.

Jokinen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Metaxa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Metaxa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Jokinen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Metaxa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Metaxa wants to stand but Jokinen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Otto Jokinen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Otto Jokinen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Metaxa dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Jokinen. That did some damage!
Jokinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Metaxa tests Jokinen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jokinen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Jokinen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Metaxa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Metaxa wants to clinch.
Metaxa has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Jokinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Metaxa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Jokinen. Jokinen obviously looking to wear him down.
Jokinen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Metaxa's sensitive parts.
Metaxa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jokinen connects with a body shot that sends Metaxa's belly button to the back.
Jokinen digs a good hook to Metaxa's body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Metaxa takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Metaxa takes one on the button.
Jokinen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Metaxa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Jokinen catches Metaxa with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Jokinen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Jokinen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Otto Jokinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jokinen moves into range and clinches up with Metaxa.
Jokinen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Jokinen has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Jokinen tries a knee to the head but Metaxa blocks it.
Jokinen lands a knee to the body.
Jokinen scores with a knee to the head.
Jokinen tries a body shot but Metaxa blocks it.
Jokinen is trying to pull guard but Metaxa has him pressed against the cage.
Jokinen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Jokinen is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Metaxa misses with some punches.
Jokinen avoids the elbow strike from Metaxa, against the cage.
Jokinen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Jokinen misses with a knee to the head.
Metaxa avoiding damage as Jokinen throws knees to the body.
Metaxa throws a head punch that misses.
Jokinen tries to land a knee to the head but Metaxa blocks with his arms.

Jokinen jumps guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen looking to control.
Jokinen wants to sweep but no luck.
Jokinen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Jokinen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Metaxa can do to turn this around?
Metaxa trying to control the position from guard on top but Jokinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Jokinen is looking for a triangle but Metaxa pushes his legs off easily.
Metaxa wants to stand but Jokinen is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jokinen is looking for a triangle but Metaxa pushes his legs off easily.
Metaxa tries to free his leg and advance position but Jokinen is retaining full guard.
Otto Jokinen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Jokinen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Jokinen is working an open guard so Metaxa takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Otto Jokinen clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Otto Jokinen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Jokinen lands a body shot.
Jokinen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Jokinen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Metaxa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Jokinen cracks Metaxa with a right hand to the side of the head.
A good leg kick by Jokinen.

Jokinen has Metaxa up against the cage in a clinch.
Metaxa creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jokinen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Metaxa blocks it with crossed arms.
Jokinen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jokinen is looking to break free of the clinch but Metaxa has double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Metaxa.
Otto Jokinen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Metaxa avoiding damage.
Jokinen tries to pull guard but Metaxa holds him up against the cage and eventually Jokinen drops back down to his feet.
Jokinen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jokinen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good body shot from Jokinen.
Jokinen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Metaxa.
Jokinen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Jokinen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Jokinen struggles to land a body shot inside as Metaxa controls his hands.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jokinen.
Jokinen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Metaxa tries a body shot but Jokinen blocks it.

Jokinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Martin Metaxa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jokinen scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Metaxa ducks right into an uppercut from Jokinen.
Jokinen throws a chopping leg kick but Metaxa manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Metaxa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Jokinen blocks a head kick by Metaxa.
Jokinen scores with a body shot.
Donk. Jokinen catches Metaxa right on the button with a cross.
Jokinen throws a low kick, looking for Metaxa's leg but Metaxa calmly moves out of range.
Jab from Jokinen.
A slapping leg kick lands for Jokinen.

Metaxa gets tackled into the cage by Jokinen. Jokinen maintains the clinch.
Good body shot from Jokinen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Metaxa.
Jokinen prevents a body shot from Metaxa.
Metaxa working aggressively here.
Metaxa fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Metaxa tries to land knees in the clinch but Jokinen avoids the damage to the body.
Metaxa pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Jokinen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jokinen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Metaxa avoids it.
Metaxa lands a hook to the side of the head.
Metaxa slowing the pace effectively.
Metaxa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jokinen backwards.
Jokinen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Metaxa.

Jokinen pulls Metaxa into guard.
Metaxa wants to stand but Jokinen is controlling his posture from full guard.
Metaxa sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa is fighting to break Jokinen's control of his arms but Jokinen is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Metaxa tries to free his leg and advance position but Jokinen is retaining full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Metaxa is stalling in the full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Martin Metaxa wasn't active enough on the ground.
Metaxa throws a series of punches but Jokinen avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Otto Jokinen had his way with Martin Metaxa in that round.
The cut man is working on Otto Jokinen's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Metaxa misses with a kick to the body
and Jokinen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Metaxa thows a body shot but no joy.
Jokinen connects with an inside leg kick.
Metaxa throws an overhand right that lands on Jokinen's shoulder, as Jokinen tries to avoid the shot.
Jokinen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Jokinen is looking to slow Metaxa down with leg kicks.
Jokinen slips under a jab from Metaxa.
Jokinen lands with an uppercut that bounces Metaxa off the cage and back into range.

Metaxa closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jokinen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Metaxa struggles to land a body shot inside as Jokinen controls his hands.
Jokinen takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Metaxa misses with a punch to the body.
Metaxa misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jokinen avoiding damage as Metaxa throws knees to the body.

Jokinen successfully pulls guard.
Metaxa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Jokinen is proving hard to escape from.
Metaxa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Jokinen has his foot on Metaxa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Metaxa works his way back into a safe position though.
Jokinen is pulling down on Metaxa's head. It's preventing any offense from Metaxa, at least for the moment.
Otto Jokinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen is trying to keep Metaxa in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Metaxa trying to control the position from guard on top but Jokinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Martin Metaxa hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Metaxa doesn't manage to clinch there - Jokinen circles away.
Jokinen connects with a solid leg kick.
Jokinen moves forwards but Metaxa connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen just misses with a punch to the body.
Jokinen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Metaxa checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Jokinen tries a head kick but it misses.
Jokinen is looking to slow Metaxa down with leg kicks.
Martin Metaxa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jokinen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Jokinen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Metaxa has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jokinen cracks Metaxa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Jokinen throws a leg kick which misses Metaxa's front leg but catches the back leg as Metaxa tries to avoid it.

Jokinen has closed the distance and engaged Metaxa in a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jokinen.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Metaxa.
Metaxa tries to work over Jokinen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Metaxa misses with a punch on the inside.
Jokinen missing with knees to the body.
Metaxa makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Jokinen is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Metaxa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Oh Jokinen is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jokinen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Metaxa stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Metaxa tries to work over Jokinen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jokinen tries a knee to the head but Metaxa blocks it.
Metaxa lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Jokinen blocks an elbow strike from Metaxa.
Metaxa lands a right hand that snaps the head of Jokinen backwards.
Metaxa lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Metaxa misses with a hook from the clinch.
Metaxa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Jokinen lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Metaxa or not.
Metaxa throws a head punch that misses.
Metaxa working aggressively here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Martin Metaxa.
Well Jokinen 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 49:46
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Otto Jokinen!
Otto Jokinen retains his light heavyweight title!
A relieved looking Otto Jokinen thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.