PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Espo Jaksinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Virgil Keller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Keller has chosen War Music as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Jaksinen
vs
Keller

182 cm
28
169 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

184 cm
37
197 lbs
33 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Powerful

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

Lion Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Espo Jaksinen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Virgil Keller!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick by Keller misses

and Jaksinen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Jaksinen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Virgil Keller has been cut.

Keller escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jaksinen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Jaksinen throws a lazy right hand but Keller sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Keller lands an overhand right.
Jaksinen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've been told by Jaksinen's head coaches at Elite Strikers that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Keller throws a hook but Jaksinen avoids it easily.
Jaksinen defending well as Keller loads up on a big left hand.
Jaksinen is looking to counter with head kicks.
Jaksinen throws out a loose jab but Keller uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jaksinen with a jab.
Keller throws a sloppy head kick and Jaksinen moves out of range easily.
Keller throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Virgil Keller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jaksinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Jaksinen clobbers Keller with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaksinen misses with a wild combination.
Keller throws a jab when Jaksinen was well out of range.
Jaksinen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Keller rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Jaksinen counters with a stiff right hand.
Jaksinen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Jaksinen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Keller.

Keller instigates a clinch.
Keller tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Keller scores with a nice short uppercut.
Keller misses with some punches.
Keller can't find room to land a body shot as Jaksinen controls the action.
Jaksinen misses with some punches.
Keller blocking some punches.
Keller blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Keller fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Keller blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jaksinen misses with a short punch on the inside.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Keller lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Jaksinen backwards.
Keller scores with a shoulder strike.
Jaksinen misses with the head strike.

Keller manages to break the clinch.
Jaksinen throws a one two combo.
Jaksinen blocks the body kick.
Keller missing with a left hand there. Jaksinen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Keller clinches.
Jaksinen has Keller pressed against the cage, preventing Keller from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A short left from Jaksinen.
Keller blocks an uppercut.
Keller working hard to break the clinch.
Keller fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jaksinen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Jaksinen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Keller is trying to break the clinch but Jaksinen is controlling him.
Jaksinen lands a nice uppercut.
Keller's coach down at ~T~ Troid - Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Keller's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Keller.
Keller scores with a nice hook to the head.
Keller swings wildly with an uppercut but Jaksinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short left from Keller.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Keller.

Keller manages to break the clinch.
Keller takes a kick to the side of the head.
Keller throws a front kick aimed at Jaksinen's knee but Jaksinen avoids it well.
Keller misses with an uppercut. Jaksinen saw that one coming.
Jaksinen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Keller looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Jaksinen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Keller throws a body kick that misses.
Jaksinen is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Keller.

Jaksinen closes the distance and pushes Keller back into 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 head punch blocked on the inside by Keller.
Keller is trying to force a seperation but Jaksinen has the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keller scores with a nice hook to the head.
Keller is trying to break the clinch but Jaksinen has him pressed against the cage.
Jaksinen blocking some punches.
Keller swings wildly with an uppercut but Jaksinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jaksinen lands a body shot.
Jaksinen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Keller's elbow.
Keller fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jaksinen misses with a punch on the inside.
Jaksinen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Keller misses with some punches.
Jaksinen struggles to land a body shot inside as Keller controls his hands.
Keller misses with a punch on the inside.
Jaksinen lands a right hand.
Jaksinen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Keller goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jaksinen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Keller trying to control the position but instead, Jaksinen has worked for underhooks and has pushed Keller into the cage.
Jaksinen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Jaksinen pushes Keller back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Espo Jaksinen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Virgil Keller's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jaksinen cracks Keller with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Jaksinen throws a head kick that half lands.
Jaksinen misses with the combination.
Jaksinen misses with a wild body shot.
Keller misses with a head kick.
Keller avoids the body shot from Jaksinen.
Espo Jaksinen is winning the standup battle so far.
Keller walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Jaksinen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Keller tries to land a front kick but Jaksinen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keller misses with a body punch
and Jaksinen counters with a straight right hand.
Keller throws a jab but it's blocked by Jaksinen.
Jaksinen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Keller has time to react.
Donk. Jaksinen catches Keller right on the button with a cross.

Keller moves into the clinch successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Jaksinen.
Keller struggles to land a body shot inside as Jaksinen controls his hands.
Espo Jaksinen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Jaksinen lands a hook that snaps the head of Keller backwards.
Jaksinen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short left from Jaksinen.
Keller working hard to break the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Keller.
Jaksinen throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Jaksinen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Jaksinen.
Keller has had enough of the clinch but Jaksinen keeps him there for the moment.
Jaksinen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Keller blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Keller tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jaksinen misses with some punches.
Keller swings wildly with an uppercut but Jaksinen uses good head movement to avoid it.

Keller manages to break the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head kick by Keller misses
and Jaksinen counters with a one-two to the body.
Jaksinen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Keller can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keller tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jaksinen was well out of range. Poor timing from Keller.
Keller throws a poor cross that misses
and Jaksinen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Keller dodges the punch combination from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen misses with a double jab
and Keller counters with a body kick.
Jaksinen fakes the leg kick and cracks Keller in the body.
Jaksinen slips a jab from Keller.
Jaksinen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Keller displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jaksinen throws out the jab.
Jaksinen works Keller's body with a nice hook.
Espo Jaksinen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Keller ducks under a wild hook from Jaksinen.
Keller defending well as Jaksinen loads up on a big left hand.
Keller throws a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keller connects with the punch.
Jaksinen throws a hook but Keller avoids it easily.
Jaksinen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Keller lands a jab.
Jaksinen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Keller.
Keller takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Keller looks to score with a jab to the body but Jaksinen is just out of range.
Keller just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromJaksinen.
Keller jabs Jaksinen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Keller misses with a low kick.

Keller moves into the clinch.
Keller is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Jaksinen working aggressively here.
Keller tries to stall but Jaksinen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Keller blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaksinen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Jaksinen misses with some punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jaksinen misses with the head strike.
Jaksinen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Keller swings wildly with an uppercut but Jaksinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Keller's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Jaksinen lands with a light punch inside.
Jaksinen throws a punch but it's blocked by Keller.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jaksinen.
Jaksinen digs a right hand underneath Keller's ribcage. Keller let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Keller tries to throw a body punch but Jaksinen avoids it by throwing Keller back against the cage.
Jaksinen lands an elbow that stopped Keller in his tracks for a moment.
A short right from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Keller goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Keller fails to land.

Keller manages to break the clinch.
Keller throws a leg kick but Jaksinen moved away.
Jaksinen with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Espo Jaksinen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Virgil Keller's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jaksinen ducks under a wild hook from Keller.
Keller misses with a hook. Jaksinen ducked under it nicely.
Jaksinen works Keller's body with a nice hook.
Keller blocks a head kick by Jaksinen.
Jaksinen misses with a looping left.
Keller misses with an uppercut
and Jaksinen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Keller thinking.
Keller swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A counter left hand to the body from Jaksinen misses its target.
Keller has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Keller there as he acknowledges the shot.
Keller misses with a straight right.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Jaksinen here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jaksinen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Keller scores with a nice strike.
Keller jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jaksinen doesn't manage to clinch there - Keller circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaksinen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Keller's hands.
Jaksinen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Keller tries to keep at a distance but Jaksinen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Keller fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Keller.

Keller breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Keller loads up on a big right hand but Jaksinen slips the punch.
Nice shot lands for Keller.

Keller clinches up against the cage.
Keller lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Jaksinen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Keller.
Jaksinen lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice left hand lands by Keller.
Keller throws a punch but it's blocked by Jaksinen.
Keller wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keller slows down the pace here.
Jaksinen misses with some punches.

Keller escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jaksinen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Keller throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jaksinen's corner calls for a 1-2. Jaksinen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Keller.
Keller swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Jaksinen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Keller takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jaksinen lands with a straight right. Keller didn't see that one coming.
Keller is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A swing and a miss from Keller.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keller swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jaksinen missing with a left hand there. Keller was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Keller throws an off balance right hand
and Jaksinen counters with a one-two to the body.
Keller takes a jab right on the kisser.

Keller is rocked!
A slow jab from Jaksinen misses its intended target.
Keller is still on wobbly legs! Can Jaksinen finish him?
Jaksinen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Keller seems to have recovered his senses.
Keller throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jaksinen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Keller. Keller obviously looking to wear him down.
Jaksinen misses with a body kick.
Jaksinen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Keller has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A jab from Keller misses.
Jaksinen lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keller throws a leg kick but Jaksinen moved away.
Jaksinen cracks Keller with an open hand slap.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Jaksinen rushes Keller and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Jaksinen lands a right hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jaksinen.
Keller stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A shot in the inside from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen lands a left hand.
A short right from Keller.
Keller wants to get back to striking at distance but Jaksinen won't allow it.
Keller blocks an uppercut.
Keller tries a body shot but Jaksinen blocks it.

Keller breaks the clinch.
A slow jab from Jaksinen misses its intended target.

Jaksinen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Keller lands a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Espo Jaksinen clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Virgil Keller's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Keller lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Keller throws a series of punches but Jaksinen avoids them all with ease.
Jaksinen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Keller.
Jaksinen scores with a jab.
Jaksinen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Keller thows a leg kick but Jaksinen checks it
and Jaksinen counters with a straight right hand.
Jaksinen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Keller.
Keller tries a head kick but it misses.

Keller gets in close and instigates a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice left hand lands by Jaksinen.
Jaksinen lands a right hand.
Jaksinen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Keller's efforts to push away.
Keller misses with a short punch on the inside.
Keller tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keller tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Jaksinen.
Keller misses with a punch to the body.
Keller has a couple of punches blocked by Jaksinen.
Keller tries a body shot but Jaksinen blocks it.
Keller has had enough of the clinch but Jaksinen keeps him there for the moment.
Keller throws a head punch that misses.
Keller is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Keller blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jaksinen misses with the head strike.
A right handed body shot lands from Jaksinen.
A nice right hand lands inside from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen lands a body punch.
A nice left hand lands by Jaksinen.
A shot in the inside from Jaksinen.
Jaksinen lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Keller backwards.
Keller's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Jaksinen swings wildly with an uppercut but Keller uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jaksinen pushes Keller against the cage. Jaksinen is working some dirty boxing. Jaksinen pushes off with a quick right hook! Keller goes down! Keller tries to stand but stumbles back to his kness! Jaksinen moves in to finish and the ref steps in to prevent any more damage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Espo Jaksinen!
Espo Jaksinen is the new middleweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Espo Jaksinen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.