PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kalle Palikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pelle Hermano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hermano comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Deadhead kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Pelle Hermano has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Palikka
vs
Hermano

181 cm
30
159 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

150 cm
33
148 lbs
24 - 14 - 1

Great wrestler
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Helsinki Xtreme Fightwear
Urban Fighter

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kalle Palikka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pelle Hermano!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Palikka shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hermano defends it nicely.
Palikka lands a nice looking body shot.

Palikka shoots in and gets a takedown into Hermano's guard.
Hermano utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hermano wants to sweep here but Palikka controlling him for the moment.
Palikka postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Palikka trying to control but Hermano is working from the bottom.

Hermano is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palikka stands and throws Hermano's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Palikka wants to control but Hermano is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Palikka lands a few punches from side control.
Hermano tries to improve position but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Palikka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hermano keeps working.
Hermano on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hermano tries to buck Palikka off but Palikka is having none of it.
Palikka working the body and head with strikes.
Hermano takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hermano is looking for a sweep.
Hermano is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Palikka working the body and head with strikes.
Hermano struggling a bit here.
Hermano is looking to regain half guard here but Palikka keeps moving and retains side control.
Palikka will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Palikka looks up at the clock and then as Hermano takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Palikka smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Hermano is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Hermano struggling a bit here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Palikka tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Palikka looks up at the clock and then as Hermano takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Palikka smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Palikka looking to control but instead Hermano has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

Palikka is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hermano has managed to free his arm - good work.
Palikka is looking to advance position but Hermano won't allow it.
Hermano wants to control but Palikka is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hermano tries to get to full guard but Palikka has control of the leg.
Palikka is thwarting Hermano's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hermano felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Hermano gets back to full guard.
Palikka advances to half guard.
Palikka is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Palikka prevents Hermano from getting the reversal.

Palikka jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Hermano is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Hermano and Palikka has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Palikka tries to move to mount but Hermano blocks the move with his legs.
Hermano sneaks back into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kalle Palikka dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Palikka changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hermano looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hermano is trying to get back to half guard.
Hermano is trying to control Palikka's posture but Palikka avoids it.
Palikka in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Palikka grinds an elbow into Hermano's temple.
Hermano is trying to control Palikka's posture but Palikka avoids it.
Hermano is looking for a sweep.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hermano manages to get back to half guard.
Palikka takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hermano is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Palikka's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Palikka's back!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
You can see the frustration on Palikka's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Palikka rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermano has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Hermano prevents Palikka from getting the reversal.
Palikka is working hard here to advance position.
Palikka sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hermano prevents Palikka from improving his position.
Palikka is trying to control but Hermano manages to pass to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Palikka is squirming around, avoiding Hermano's attempts to control the action.
Palikka is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hermano scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Palikka bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Hermano not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hermano wants to sweep but no luck.
Palikka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hermano can do to turn this around?
Palikka wants to control from the top but Hermano keeps moving.
Hermano is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Palikka moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Palikka is trying to control the position but Hermano postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermano wants to pass the guard but Palikka is keeping the position.

Palikka is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hermano defends well.
Hermano throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Palikka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Palikka throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Palikka keeping moving, preventing Hermano from controlling successfully.
Hermano stopping the sweep attempt from Palikka.

Palikka is looking for a triangle but Hermano pushes his legs off easily.

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.
Hermano stands up over Palikka, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hermano passes Palikka's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hermano is nestled in close to Palikka, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Palikka manages to get to full guard.
Hermano scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hermano postures up.
Hermano postures up and lands a big shot to Palikka's brow.
Palikka wants to sweep but no luck.
Kalle Palikka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hermano trying to control the position from guard on top but Palikka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Palikka working a defensive guard but Hermano manages to pass into side control anyway.
Palikka is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pelle Hermano will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Palikka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A lazy body kick from Palikka

and Hermano decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Palikka's guard.
Hermano landing with the ground and pound.
Hermano stands up over Palikka, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Palikka looking for a guillotine here but Hermano defends easily.

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

Palikka is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Palikka trying to control the position.
Hermano distracts Palikka with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hermano sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Palikka working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hermano doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hermano manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hermano working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Palikka's head.
Hermano with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hermano trying to control but Palikka is working from the bottom.

Palikka is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hermano defends well.
Hermano working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Palikka's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Palikka has his foot on Hermano's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hermano works his way back into a safe position though.
Hermano wants to control from the top but Palikka keeps moving.

Palikka is looking for a triangle but Hermano pushes his legs off easily.

Palikka is looking for a triangle but Hermano pushes his legs off easily.
Palikka keeping moving, preventing Hermano from controlling successfully.
Hermano looking to sit in guard and control but Palikka gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Palikka lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hermano keeping moving, preventing Palikka from controlling successfully.
Hermano 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.
Palikka is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Hermano throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Palikka connects with a couple of short punches.
Palikka content to stall in guard here.

Hermano looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Palikka looking to sit in guard and control but Hermano gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Hermano stopping the sweep attempt from Palikka.

Palikka working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hermano doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hermano manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hermano working some strikes from top position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Palikka keeping moving, preventing Hermano from controlling successfully.
Hermano preventing the sweep.

Hermano drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hermano jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pelle Hermano comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hermano 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pelle Hermano!
Pelle Hermano tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.
The defeated Kalle Palikka had this to say: 'LMAOOOOOOO'.