PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Esko Marttinen (ranked 617 p4p, 82 weight class) and Will Rock (ranked 282 p4p, 36 weight class). Marttinen's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, For Heavy Metal we will die!. Rock is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: I Wanna Rock. 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.

Marttinen
vs
Rock

182 cm
33
162 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

180 cm
26
160 lbs
14 - 5 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

THE END 32

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Esko Marttinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 2, fighting out of New York, Will Rock!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rock throws a head kick but Marttinen moves out of range.
Marttinen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rock.
Nice defenses there by Rock.
Marttinen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rock.
Marttinen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rock throws out the jab.
Rock catches Marttinen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

It looks like Esko Marttinen has been cut.
Marttinen throws a poor cross that misses
and Rock counters with a nice uppercut.
Rock misses with the combination.
Marttinen cracks Rock with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rock throws a head kick that misses.
Marttinen throws the left hand but Rock avoids the punch easily.
Marttinen loads up on a big right hand but Rock slips the punch.
Rock thinks about the counter body kick.
Marttinen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rock finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rock takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rock doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Marttinen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Marttinen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Rock wants to control but Marttinen is keeping busy.
We've been hearing that Marttinen has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Rock looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Marttinen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rock is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Rock looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rock is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Marttinen scores with a couple of nice shots.

Marttinen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Marttinen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rock is just riding it out for now. Marttinen eventually gives up the hold.
Marttinen is trying to control the action in half guard but Rock is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rock looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rock has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Marttinen is working away from the top position though.
Marttinen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Marttinen lands strikes from half guard.
Marttinen is taking a breather. Rock says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Rock avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Marttinen.
Marttinen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rock does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Marttinen prevents Rock from improving his position.
Rock moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rock is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Marttinen wants to control from the top but Rock keeps moving.
Marttinen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rock is keeping the position for now.

Marttinen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rock has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Marttinen has managed to get both his arms back between Rock's legs - danger averted.
Marttinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Rock is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Marttinen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Marttinen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Marttinen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Esko Marttinen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Marttinen ducks under a wild hook from Rock.
Marttinen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Marttinen thumps Rock with a low kick.
Marttinen lands a head kick!
Nice shot lands for Marttinen.
Marttinen ducks under a wild hook from Rock.
Marttinen throws a one two combo.
Marttinen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A big left from Marttinen misses.
Rock throws a big counter head kick but Marttinen avoids it with no problem.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Rock enables Marttinen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Rock manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Marttinen wants to control from the top but Rock keeps moving.

Rock looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Marttinen throws a big right hand that misses.
Marttinen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rock can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rock is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Marttinen rolls with it to try and escape but Rock cranks on the arm and Marttinen is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Will Rock!
Will Rock thanked the fans post fight for their support.