PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Erkki Esinahka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyosti Persposki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Erkki Esinahka has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Esinahka
vs
Persposki

200 cm
23
255 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

184 cm
19
230 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Erkki Esinahka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kyosti Persposki!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esinahka looks for a takedown but Persposki sprawls well.

Persposki fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Esinahka sprawls well initially but Persposki persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Esinahka looking for submissions off his back.
Persposki wants to pass the guard but Esinahka is defending well.

Persposki is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Esinahka has managed to free his arm - good work.
Esinahka makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Esinahka.

Esinahka is looking for a triangle but Persposki pushes his legs off easily.

Esinahka looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Persposki passes into half guard.

Esinahka actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Esinahka looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Esinahka is breathing heavily.
Persposki is pressing down on Esinahka's thigh, looking to free his foot. Esinahka is holding on for now.
Esinahka wants to improve his position but Persposki is controlling well.
Persposki frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Persposki has hold of Esinahka's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Esinahka manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Esinahka is trying to reverse the position but instead Persposki has taken his back - oops!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Esinahka tries to escape but Persposki has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Esinahka is working hard here to advance position.
Esinahka is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Persposki.
Esinahka is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Persposki is looking to control Esinahka but Esinahka is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Esinahka breaks Persposki's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

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

Esinahka thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Esinahka drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Persposki manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Esinahka has Persposki in his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Esinahka had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Persposki is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Esinahka Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Persposki's back instead.
Esinahka doesn't have the hooks in and Persposki manages to turn into his guard.

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

Esinahka has his foot on Persposki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Persposki works his way back into a safe position though.
Persposki pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Esinahka is keeping the position for now.
Persposki wants to control from the top but Esinahka keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Esinahka manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Persposki manages to get himself to full guard.
Esinahka pushes down on Persposki's leg and manages to get into half guard.

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

Esinahka seems to be looking for submissions.

Esinahka is working for a submission of some sort.
Esinahka will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Esinahka is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Persposki is trying to maintain the position but Esinahka is very close to passing his half guard.
Persposki might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Esinahka kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Esinahka is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Persposki has managed to free his arm - good work.
Esinahka looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Esinahka gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Persposki counters with a single leg into guard. Esinahka didn't expect that.

That's six minutes gone in the round.

Esinahka looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Esinahka keeping moving, preventing Persposki from controlling successfully.
Esinahka keeping full guard, as Persposki tries to pass.
Esinahka manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Persposki manages to get himself to full guard.
Persposki should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Esinahka drops back looking for a leg! Persposki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Persposki manages to kick Esinahka off! Esinahka jumps back into Persposki's guard.

Persposki is looking for a triangle but Esinahka pushes his legs off easily.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Esinahka wants to pass the guard but Persposki is keeping the position.

Persposki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Esinahka gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Esinahka passes Persposki's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Esinahka is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Esinahka is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Persposki still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Persposki has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Esinahka regains half guard.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Esinahka wants to improve his position but Persposki is controlling well.

Persposki wants to work for an arm triangle but Esinahka is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Esinahka regains full guard. Nicely done.
Esinahka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Persposki is one step ahead there.

Persposki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Persposki looking to pass the guard.

Esinahka has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Persposki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Esinahka working for submissions but it's allowed Persposki to get to half guard.

Esinahka is defending against the submission attempts here by Persposki.
Persposki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Esinahka looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Esinahka is not content to let Persposki control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyosti Persposki dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Esinahka doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Persposki counters by clinching up.
Persposki has had enough of the clinch but Esinahka keeps him there for the moment.

Persposki decides to pull guard.
Kyosti Persposki has got the better of the ground game so far.

Persposki is looking for a triangle but Esinahka pushes his legs off easily.
Esinahka has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Esinahka wants to pass the guard but Persposki is keeping the position.
Esinahka pushes down on Persposki's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Esinahka passes to side control.

Esinahka thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Esinahka tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Esinahka has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Persposki manages to work his way to half guard, despite Esinahka's best efforts.
Persposki is looking to improve his position.
Persposki is trying to maintain the position but Esinahka is very close to passing his half guard.
Persposki controlling the position well.
Esinahka passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Persposki!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Esinahka takes Persposki's back.

Esinahka looking for the choke from the back.

Esinahka is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Persposki is defending well though. Esinahka let's go of the attempt for now.

Esinahka looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Persposki is controlling Esinahka 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Esinahka lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Persposki!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Esinahka moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Persposki has worked his arm free - good work by Persposki!
Persposki gets back to half guard.

Esinahka is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Persposki is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Esinahka's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Esinahka's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Esinahka tries to break free.
Esinahka tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Esinahka is wriggling around trying to escape.
Persposki mounts Esinahka! Really nice guard pass there!
Persposki controlling the pace for now.

Persposki working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Esinahka is trying desperately to improve position.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Esinahka tries to improve his position but instead Persposki has taken his back!

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Esinahka is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Esinahka defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Persposki's arms.
Esinahka rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Esinahka actively working from the bottom here.
Esinahka is looking for a sweep. Persposki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Persposki is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Esinahka defends it well.
Persposki is tying to control. Esinahka wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Esinahka is looking for a sweep. Persposki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Esinahka is staying active underneath Persposki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Esinahka tries to get to full guard but Persposki has control of the leg.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Persposki throws a right and a left that both miss.
Persposki stuffs the takedown attempt from Esinahka. Esinahka gets slowly back to his feet.
Esinahka tries for a takedown but Persposki circles away easily

and Persposki counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erkki Esinahka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Persposki trying to control the position but Esinahka is working away.
Esinahka tries to bench press Persposki off him but Persposki keeps the position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Esinahka is not content to let Persposki control the position.
Esinahka sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Persposki not doing much here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Esinahka manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Esinahka wants to sweep but no luck.

Esinahka working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Persposki has passed into half guard!
Esinahka wants to get back to full guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Persposki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Esinahka tries to roll over but Persposki keeps him under control.

Esinahka looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Let's hope that Persposki has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Esinahka is looking for a sweep. Persposki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyosti Persposki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Esinahka fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Persposki sprawls well initially but Esinahka persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Esinahka is looking for a kimura here.

Persposki actively working from the bottom here.
Persposki is holding on to half guard well.
Esinahka is looking to advance position but Persposki won't allow it.

Esinahka seems like he's working for an arm triangle here. He's freed his trapped foot and he's rotating nicely. Persposki is in big trouble! He's tapping out! This one is aaaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Erkki Esinahka!