PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Orpo Jokinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mitsuyo Maeda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jokinen's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, You Know You're Right - Nirvana. 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.

Jokinen
vs
Maeda

175 cm
37
180 lbs
25 - 18 - 0

177 cm
44
178 lbs
27 - 15 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Orpo Jokinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mitsuyo Maeda!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maeda gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jokinen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Maeda's elbow.
Jokinen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Maeda misses with some punches.
Jokinen lands an uppercut.

Jokinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Maeda walks into a stiff left hand from Jokinen.
Jokinen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Maeda if he has to take too many more of those.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Jokinen, right into the meat.
Maeda tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jokinen was well out of range. Poor timing from Maeda.
Maeda throws a big shot that misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Maeda, right into the meat.
Jokinen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at SiTech MMA Academy ($50/week) in the buildup to the fight.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Maeda moves in looking to clinch but Jokinen pushes him off.
A big right from Maeda misses.
Jokinen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Maeda sprawls and moves away.
Maeda fails with an attempt to clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maeda is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jokinen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jokinen lands with a shot to the body.
Jokinen lands with a good body shot.

Maeda moves into the clinch successfully.

Jokinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Jokinen. Maeda shrugs it off though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Jokinen.
Jokinen sizes up Maeda with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

Maeda feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Jokinen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jokinen looking to control.
Maeda is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Jokinen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Jokinen keeping moving, preventing Maeda from controlling successfully.
Maeda looking to pass the guard.
Jokinen looking to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jokinen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maeda can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Maeda trying to control the position from guard on top but Jokinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Maeda in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Maeda's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Maeda got a little sloppy there for a moment and Jokinen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maeda has managed to get both his arms back between Jokinen's legs - danger averted.
Jokinen 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jokinen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maeda can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Maeda works over Jokinen with some ground and pound from guard.
Jokinen working a defensive guard here.

Jokinen working for submissions but it's allowed Maeda to get to half guard.
Jokinen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Maeda's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Maeda's back!
Maeda tries to escape but Jokinen has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Jokinen working for a choke but Maeda is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maeda trying to control the hands but Jokinen won't let him.
Maeda staying busy and making it hard for Jokinen to control.
Jokinen gets his hands free as Maeda looks to control.
Even with his hooks in, Jokinen manages to miss with strikes from the back.
Maeda wants to escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orpo Jokinen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jokinen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jokinen throws a big shot that misses.
Orpo Jokinen is winning the standup battle so far.
Jokinen takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Maeda stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Jokinen.
Jokinen digs a good body shot into Maeda's ribs.
Maeda moves out of range as Jokinen throws a body kick.
Jokinen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Jokinen dips to his left and cracks Maeda with an uppercut!
Jokinen misses with a straight left.
Maeda tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
A cross from Jokinen lands.
Jokinen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jokinen throws a hook to the side of Maeda's head but Maeda sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jokinen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Maeda.
Jokinen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Jokinen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maeda can do to turn this around?
Some wild striking there from Jokinen.
The fighters circling - Maeda throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Maeda looks to score with a jab to the body but Jokinen is just out of range.
Jokinen thumps Maeda with a low kick.
Maeda takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Maeda shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Jokinen punishes Maeda's body with a nice straight punch.
Maeda moves forwards but Jokinen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Maeda walks into a jab.
A low kick from Jokinen is predictable there

and Maeda counters with a nice double leg into side control. Jokinen won't be happy with that.
Jokinen is looking for a sweep.
Maeda lands an elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jokinen is looking for a sweep.
Maeda landing a few strikes.
Jokinen is looking to reverse the position.

Maeda is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Jokinen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Maeda throws a strike aimed at the side of Jokinen's head but Jokinen avoids it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen can't do much from the bottom here.
Jokinen manages to get back to half guard.
Jokinen is trying to maintain the position but Maeda is very close to passing his half guard.
Maeda wants to free his trapped foot but Jokinen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Maeda sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Jokinen defending well though.
Jokinen is trying to get back to full guard.
Maeda is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Maeda is trying to control. Jokinen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maeda is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Jokinen looking for submissions off his back.
Jokinen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Jokinen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Maeda makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Maeda with a flurry of punches that miss.
Jokinen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Maeda wants to control from the top but Jokinen keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four 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.
Maeda ducks under a wild hook from Jokinen.
Jokinen tries to score with a low kick but Maeda moves his leg out of the way.
Maeda feints the counter takedown.
Maeda is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Jokinen gets tackled into the cage by Maeda. Maeda maintains the clinch.
Maeda misses with a hook from the clinch.
Maeda tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Maeda managing to block the knees to the body from Jokinen.
Jokinen stalling in the clinch but Maeda improves position.
Jokinen gets underhooks to prevent Maeda's takedown attempt.
Jokinen tries to land knees in the clinch but Maeda avoids the damage to the body.
Maeda misses with a hook from the clinch.
Jokinen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Maeda.
Jokinen lands with a light punch inside.
Jokinen content to slow the pace in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Orpo Jokinen dominated that second round.
That's time! Jokinen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Maeda missing with a left hand there. Jokinen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Maeda throws a body punch but Jokinen moves out of range.
Jokinen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Maeda changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Jokinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Jokinen blocks a jab.
Maeda tries to clinch but Jokinen moves out of range.
A slow jab from Maeda misses its intended target.
Maeda shoots in for a takedown but Jokinen shows good takedown defense.
Jokinen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Maeda sprawls and moves away.
Maeda takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Jokinen throws a sloppy head kick and Maeda moves out of range easily.
Jokinen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Jokinen throws a nice inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maeda is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jokinen keeps the fight on the outside.
Maeda feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Jokinen's calf.
Jokinen connects with a single shot there.
Maeda is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Jokinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jokinen checks a leg kick nicely.
Maeda throws a low kick, looking for Jokinen's leg but Jokinen calmly moves out of range.
Maeda wants to clinch.
Jokinen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
A punch lands to the side of Maeda 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Jokinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Maeda tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jokinen swivels and escapes.
Maeda needs to keep his hands up - Jokinen had a free shot at his head there.
Jokinen cracks Maeda with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Maeda takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Maeda enables Jokinen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Maeda manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
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!

Maeda working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Jokinen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Jokinen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mitsuyo Maeda has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Orpo Jokinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maeda can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Jokinen controls the pace.
Maeda looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Jokinen wants to control from the top but Maeda keeps moving.
Jokinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Maeda shoots for a double leg takedown but Jokinen sprawls well. He's pushed Maeda's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Orpo Jokinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mitsuyo Maeda.
Jokinen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Jokinen connects with a nice looking jab.
Maeda tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jokinen swivels and escapes.
Jokinen keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Jokinen.
Jokinen stuffs the takedown.
Maeda takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
No joy there for Jokinen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Maeda shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Jokinen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Maeda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jokinen.
Jokinen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Jokinen cracks a nice hook into Maeda's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jokinen throws a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Jokinen stuns Maeda with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jokinen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Maeda has managed to clinch.
Jokinen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Jokinen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Maeda can't find room to land a body shot as Jokinen controls the action.

Jokinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Maeda throws a front kick aimed at Jokinen's knee but Jokinen avoids it well.
Nice body punch from Jokinen.

Jokinen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Maeda's half guard.

Jokinen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Jokinen is pressing down on Maeda's thigh, looking to free his foot. Maeda is holding on for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Orpo Jokinen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jokinen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Orpo Jokinen!
After winning the bout, Orpo Jokinen thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.