PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Otso Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jie Liu (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 E.S. Posthumus - Unstoppable. Liu has chosen The Cinematic Orchestra ft. Roots Manuva - All Things To All Men as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Jokinen
vs
Liu

165 cm
34
155 lbs
53 - 8 - 0

173 cm
29
162 lbs
23 - 8 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Heisenberg

Heisenberg
KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 53 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Otso Jokinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jie Liu!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Donald Grub and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jokinen.
Jokinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Liu is just out of range.
Liu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Liu connects with an inside leg kick.
Jokinen throws a leg kick which misses Liu's front leg but catches the back leg as Liu tries to avoid it.
Liu lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Jokinen tries for a takedown but Liu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jokinen wants to slow Liu down by chopping away at his legs.
Donk. Jokinen catches Liu right on the button with a cross.
Jokinen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Jokinen avoids the head kick by Liu.
Liu turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Jokinen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Liu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Jokinen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Liu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jokinen throws a lazy right hand but Liu sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jokinen scores with a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu lands a slapping body shot.
Jokinen with a jab.
Jokinen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jokinen looks to land a right hand but Liu moved out of range.
Jokinen needs to keep his hands up - Liu had a free shot at his head there.
Liu feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Jokinen's calf.
Jokinen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Liu takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Liu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jokinen. Liu does a little dance to reset his feet.
Liu throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Jokinen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Jokinen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Liu.
Jokinen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Jokinen misses with a wild body shot.
Jokinen is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu lands with a slapping head kick.
Jokinen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Liu uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jokinen.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Liu, right into the meat.
Jokinen looks to land a body kick but Liu moved away.

Jokinen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Liu looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Liu tries to buck Jokinen off but Jokinen is having none of it.
Liu manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Jokinen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Liu trying to control from half guard but Jokinen is working away.
Liu is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Liu is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Jokinen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Liu.
Liu is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Jokinen reverses the position - he's now on top in Liu's guard.
Liu wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Jokinen is now in half guard.
Liu wants to improve his position but Jokinen is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen looks to land a strike but Liu avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Jokinen advances position into side control!
Jokinen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liu manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Jokinen trying to control but Liu postures up.
Liu wants to advance to full mount but Jokinen doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Liu throws an elbow that misses. Jokinen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Liu's guard. Nice move by Jokinen!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jie Liu dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jokinen throws a low kick but Liu moves out of range easily.
Jokinen missing with a left hand there. Liu was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jokinen avoids the body shot from Liu.
Liu scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Liu thows a body shot but no joy.
Some bone on bone action there as Liu checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Liu goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jokinen wants to clinch up but Liu keeps it at a distance.
Liu throws a hook to the side of Jokinen's head but Jokinen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jokinen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Jokinen misses with a wild body shot.
Jokinen 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.
Liu throws a looping overhand right but Jokinen ducks down to avoid it.
Liu is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Jokinen rather than just go for the knockout.
Jokinen is looking to slow Liu down with leg kicks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu wants to land a leg kick but Jokinen is out of range.
Liu cracks the inside of Jokinen's front leg.
Liu shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Jokinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Liu was well out of range. Poor timing from Jokinen.
Liu tries for a takedown but Jokinen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Liu.
Liu with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Jokinen to score with a decent uppercut.
Jokinen tried to score with a low kick but Liu checks it.
Liu misses with a low kick.
Liu scores with a leg kick.
Liu throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Jokinen throws a leg kick but Liu sees it coming and moves out of range.
Liu chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jie Liu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Liu takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Jokinen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Liu. That did some damage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen blocks a head kick by Liu.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liu misses the shot to the body.
A good leg kick by Liu.
Jokinen tries to clinch but Liu moves out of range.
Jokinen lands a jab to the head.
Jokinen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jokinen avoids the head kick by Liu.
Jokinen throws out a powerful jab.
Liu shoots in and drives through. Jokinen sprawls well.
Jokinen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Liu.
Jokinen connects with a crisp jab.
A thudding body kick lands there by Liu!
Jokinen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Jokinen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Liu. Liu obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Liu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Jokinen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jokinen misses with the combination.
Liu looks to score with a jab to the body but Jokinen is just out of range.
Jokinen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Liu paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jokinen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Liu.
Jokinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jokinen wants to land a leg kick but Liu is out of range.
Liu throws a leg kick that is checked
and Jokinen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Liu thinking.
Liu throws a lazy right hand but Jokinen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Liu cracks Jokinen with a right hand to the side of the head.

Jokinen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Jokinen jumps into side control!
Jokinen lands a few punches from side control.
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!
Liu tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Liu prevents Jokinen from moving into mount.
Jokinen works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jokinen wants to control but Liu is keeping him busy.
Liu is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Otso Jokinen dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Liu lands a nice looking body kick.
Jokinen swings for the body but Liu moves out of range.
Jokinen lands with a nice body punch.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Jokinen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Liu has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Liu and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Jokinen misses with a low kick.
Jokinen throws a predictable looking body shot

and Liu counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Jokinen's guard now.
Liu lands a couple of elbows.
Liu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jokinen is pulling down on Liu's head. It's preventing any offense from Liu, at least for the moment.
Jokinen is trying to keep Liu in close.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jokinen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu chips away with some ground and pound.
Jokinen keeping moving, preventing Liu from controlling successfully.
Liu is looking to work some ground and pound but Jokinen has wrist control.
Liu trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
Liu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Liu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jokinen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Liu's guard.
Jokinen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu keeping moving, preventing Jokinen from controlling successfully.
Jokinen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Liu wants to sweep here but Jokinen controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Liu is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Jokinen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Liu has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Jokinen has managed to get both his arms back between Liu's legs - danger averted.
Jie Liu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Liu is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu keeping moving, preventing Jokinen from controlling successfully.
Jokinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jokinen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Liu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Jokinen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Jokinen connects with a couple of short punches.
Liu looking to control.
Jokinen trying to control but Liu is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu trying to control the position.
Liu keeping moving, preventing Jokinen from controlling successfully.
Jokinen won't allow Liu to sweep him here.
Liu is still trying to improve position.
Liu is trying to control the position but Jokinen postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Jokinen swings for the body but Liu moves out of range.
Jokinen cracks Liu with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Jokinen stuffs the takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jie Liu just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A nice inside leg kick there by Jokinen. That's going to slow Liu down.
Jokinen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Liu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jokinen somewhat.
Jokinen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Liu. Liu obviously looking to wear him down.
Liu misses with a head kick.
Jokinen throws a looping overhand right but Liu ducks down to avoid it.
Liu moves out of range of the leg kick from Jokinen.
Jokinen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Liu.

Liu decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Liu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jokinen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Liu is trying to work for a kimura but Jokinen is defending well.
Jokinen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Liu is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Liu.

Liu seems to be working for a kimura but Jokinen defends the submission attempt.
Jokinen is concentrating on defense, preventing Liu from advancing position.
Liu prevents Jokinen from improving his position.
Liu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Jokinen defending well though.
Liu wants to take a breather but Jokinen is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liu is trying to work for a kimura but Jokinen is defending well.

Liu is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Liu is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jokinen defends it well.
Jokinen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Jokinen moves into full guard.
Liu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jokinen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.
Jokinen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jokinen wants to sweep here but Liu controlling him for the moment.
Jokinen is working hard here to advance position.
Liu trying to control but Jokinen is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Jokinen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Liu preventing the sweep.
Liu throws an elbow that misses. Jokinen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Liu's guard. Nice move by Jokinen!
Jokinen looking to sit in guard and control but Liu gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Liu stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jokinen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jie Liu dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Jokinen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jokinen has a couple of punches blocked by Liu.
Liu is looking for a takedown.
Jokinen misses with a punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Jokinen.
Jokinen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Liu backwards.
Liu is looking to control Jokinen's arms but Jokinen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Liu has his back to the cage.
Jokinen displaying some good clinch control by pressing Liu up against the cage.
Jokinen struggles to land a body shot inside as Liu controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liu misses with some punches.
Liu lands a left hand that snaps the head of Jokinen backwards.
Jokinen has Liu pressed against the cage, preventing Liu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Jokinen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Liu's elbow.
Jokinen is struggling to control the position.
Liu lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Liu throws a head punch that misses.
Jokinen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Liu.
Jokinen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jokinen trying to stall but Liu improves his position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jokinen.
Liu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Liu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Liu lands a nice shot to the body.
Liu misses with some punches.
Otso Jokinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu is looking to take this one to the mat.
A frustrated look appears on Liu's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Liu has a couple of punches blocked by Jokinen.
Liu tries to break free but Jokinen pushes him back against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short uppercut from Jokinen.
Liu changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Jokinen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Otso Jokinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jie Liu.
Liu lands a head kick!
Jie Liu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Liu is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Jokinen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Liu on the side of the head.
Liu throws a push kick but Jokinen slaps the foot to one side.
Jokinen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jokinen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Liu. Liu obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Liu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Liu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jokinen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Liu somewhat.
Jokinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Jokinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Liu was well out of range. Poor timing from Jokinen.
Jokinen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Liu.
Jokinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Liu is just out of range.
Jokinen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Liu.
Jokinen tries to clinch but Liu is having none of it.
Jokinen misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Liu counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Jokinen's guard now.
Jokinen keeping full guard, as Liu tries to pass.
Jokinen is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Jokinen's head.
Liu trying to control the position from guard on top but Jokinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Liu works a leg free and moves into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Liu missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Jokinen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Liu is working away from the top position though.
Jokinen throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jie Liu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Liu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 46:49
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 46:49
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jie Liu!
During a confident post fight interview, Jie Liu thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.