PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pekka Punahilkka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Barry Henderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Punahilkka's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Mäihä Show feat. Punahilkka. 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.

Punahilkka
vs
Henderson

178 cm
19
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

178 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of London, Pekka Punahilkka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Barry Henderson!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Colin Fotheringham and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big right from Punahilkka misses.
Punahilkka thows a left - swing and a miss!
The fighters circling - Punahilkka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Punahilkka steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Henderson. That one must have hurt.
Punahilkka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
Henderson throws an overhand right that lands on Punahilkka's shoulder, as Punahilkka tries to avoid the shot.
Punahilkka swings for the body but Henderson moves out of range.
Henderson blocks a jab.
Henderson throws a big shot that misses.
Punahilkka takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Punahilkka looks to land a combination but Henderson avoids it well.
Henderson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Punahilkka throws a nice looking combination but Henderson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Punahilkka.
Punahilkka throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Punahilkka avoids the head kick by Henderson.
A combination from Henderson does no damage.
Punahilkka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Punahilkka tries a head kick but it misses.
A swing and a miss from Punahilkka.
Henderson takes a swing at Punahilkka's ribcage but misses.
Henderson wants to clinch up but Punahilkka keeps it at a distance.
Punahilkka avoids the body shot from Henderson.
Henderson scores with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Punahilkka keeps the fight on the outside.
Henderson misses with a two punch combination.
Henderson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Henderson steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Punahilkka.
Punahilkka lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Henderson circles away quickly and effectively.
Henderson tries to clinch up.
Henderson misses with a double jab.
Punahilkka slips under a jab from Henderson.
Henderson blocks a head kick by Punahilkka.
Punahilkka closes this distance looking for a takedown but Henderson circles away.
Punahilkka throws a series of strikes that have Henderson backpedaling.

It looks like Barry Henderson has been cut.
Punahilkka misses with a wild combination.
Punahilkka avoids the body shot from Henderson.
Punahilkka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Henderson.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Henderson!
Henderson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Punahilkka throws a sloppy head kick and Henderson moves out of range easily.
Punahilkka swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
Henderson connects with a right hand. Punahilkka shakes it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Punahilkka sizes up Henderson with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Henderson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Punahilkka was well out of range. Poor timing from Henderson.
Henderson throws a hook but Punahilkka blocks it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Punahilkka on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Punahilkka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Punahilkka is breathing heavily.
Henderson scores with a decent looking hook.
Punahilkka misses with a looping left.
A left and a right from Henderson both land. Nice combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Punahilkka digs a good hook to Henderson's body.
Punahilkka lands a nice shot to the body.
Punahilkka throws the left hand but Henderson avoids the punch easily.
Punahilkka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Henderson.
Henderson wants to clinch.
Barry Henderson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Punahilkka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Henderson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Punahilkka seems to be looking for submissions.
Punahilkka is thwarting Henderson's attempts to control the position.
Punahilkka trying to control the action but Henderson is working from the bottom.
Henderson keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Punahilkka working the head and body with strikes.
Henderson is looking to control Punahilkka's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Henderson avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Punahilkka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Punahilkka thows a body shot but no joy.
Punahilkka misses with a wild combination.
Punahilkka looks to throw the jab but Henderson is out of range.
Henderson misses with a straight right.
Punahilkka slips under a jab from Henderson.
Punahilkka looks to land a combination but Henderson avoids it well.
A punch lands to the side of Henderson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Henderson moves into range and connects with a jab.
Punahilkka avoids the body shot from Henderson.
A swing and a miss from Punahilkka.
Punahilkka misses with a combination
and Henderson counters with a nice uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Punahilkka lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Punahilkka tries to bum rush Henderson with a series of wild strikes but Henderson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Punahilkka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Henderson closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Pekka Punahilkka will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Barry Henderson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Henderson misses with a straight left.
Punahilkka closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Punahilkka keeps the fight on the outside.
Henderson misses with a straight left.
Henderson scores with a spinning back kick!
Pekka Punahilkka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Henderson throws a hook to the side of Punahilkka's head but Punahilkka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Henderson throws a jab but it's blocked by Punahilkka.
Henderson throws a head kick that misses.
Punahilkka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slow jab from Henderson misses its intended target.
Punahilkka misses with a straight right.
Henderson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Punahilkka throws a leg kick but Henderson moved away.
Punahilkka misses with a series of wild punches.
Henderson lands a jab to Punahilkka's midsection.
Punahilkka blocks a jab.
A big left from Punahilkka misses.
Punahilkka works the jab nicely.
Henderson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Punahilkka.
Henderson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Punahilkka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
Henderson throws a big shot that misses.
Henderson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Punahilkka throws out the jab.
Henderson digs a good hook to Punahilkka's body.
Punahilkka looks to land a right hand but Henderson moved out of range.
Punahilkka ducks under a wild hook from Henderson.
Henderson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Punahilkka.
Punahilkka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Henderson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab from Henderson does it's job there.
Punahilkka fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Henderson on the side of the head.
Punahilkka throws a series of punches but Henderson moves out of range.
Henderson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Henderson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Punahilkka counters with a solid body kick.
Punahilkka walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Henderson throws a predictable looking body shot
and Punahilkka finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Punahilkka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Henderson throws a jab when Punahilkka was well out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Henderson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Punahilkka throws a push kick but Henderson slaps the foot to one side.
Punahilkka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Henderson moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Henderson throws a combination that misses

and Punahilkka counters with a nice double leg into side control. Henderson won't be happy with that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
You can see the frustration on Henderson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Henderson sneaks back into half guard.
Henderson is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Punahilkka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Henderson keeps working.
Punahilkka is thwarting Henderson's attempts to control the position.
Henderson regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Henderson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Punahilkka is aware though and is defending well.
Henderson keeping moving, preventing Punahilkka from controlling successfully.
Punahilkka throwing strikes from guard but Henderson blocks nicely.
Punahilkka has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Punahilkka tries to free his leg and advance position but Henderson is retaining full guard.

Henderson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Henderson is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

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.
Punahilkka controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Punahilkka postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Punahilkka trying to control the position from guard on top but Henderson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Punahilkka is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Punahilkka lands a couple of digs.
Punahilkka looking to pass the guard.
Punahilkka knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Henderson on the ground.

Henderson has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Punahilkka is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Henderson.
Punahilkka scores with punches from side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Punahilkka controlling the position from side mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pekka Punahilkka will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Barry Henderson's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Henderson wants to clinch up but Punahilkka keeps it at a distance.
The fighters circling - Punahilkka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Punahilkka swinging wilding here.
Punahilkka moves away from the strike by Henderson.
Henderson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Punahilkka circles away quickly and effectively.
Punahilkka cracks Henderson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Punahilkka crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Henderson - the referee stops the clock and Punahilkka gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Henderson. Punahilkka manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Barry Henderson seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Punahilkka looks to score with a jab to the body but Henderson is just out of range.
Punahilkka swats away the attempt to clinch by Henderson.
Punahilkka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Henderson.
A big right from Henderson misses.
A head kick by Punahilkka misses
and Punahilkka takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheers as Punahilkka lands an impressive looking overhand right. Henderson doesn't seem phased though.
Punahilkka ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Punahilkka thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Punahilkka looks for the body kick but Henderson saw that one coming.
Punahilkka misses with a two punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Henderson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Henderson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Henderson throws a body kick that misses.
Punahilkka takes a jab right on the kisser.
Henderson dodges the punch combination from Punahilkka.
Henderson thows a body shot but no joy.
Punahilkka blocks a jab.
Henderson cracks Punahilkka with a right hand to the side of the head.
Punahilkka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson walks into a stiff left hand from Punahilkka.
Punahilkka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Henderson sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Henderson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Punahilkka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice shot lands for Punahilkka.
Henderson misses with a body kick.
Punahilkka throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Henderson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Punahilkka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henderson scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Henderson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Punahilkka.
Henderson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Punahilkka defending well as Henderson loads up on a big left hand.
Henderson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Punahilkka on the side of the head.
Henderson misses with an uppercut. Punahilkka saw that one coming.
Henderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Punahilkka scores with a hook to the body. Henderson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Punahilkka throws a head kick that misses.
Henderson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Henderson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Punahilkka.
Punahilkka keeps the fight on the outside.
Henderson checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Henderson cracks Punahilkka with a good jab.
Henderson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Punahilkka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Henderson misses with a hook.
Henderson throws a head kick that half lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henderson thows a body shot but no joy.
Henderson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Punahilkka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Henderson moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Henderson blocks a leg kick.
Punahilkka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Punahilkka shoots in for a double leg but Henderson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Henderson throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Punahilkka counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Henderson tries to clinch but Punahilkka moves out of range.
Punahilkka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Henderson misses with a series of wild punches.
Henderson throws a nice head kick!
Punahilkka takes a swing at Henderson's ribcage but misses.
Henderson misses with an uppercut. Punahilkka saw that one coming.
A jab from Henderson misses.
Punahilkka fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Henderson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Punahilkka throws a leg kick but Henderson sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Henderson uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Punahilkka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Punahilkka takes a swing at Henderson's ribcage but misses.
Henderson catches Punahilkka with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Punahilkka slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Henderson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Punahilkka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Henderson throws a nice looking combination but Punahilkka bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Punahilkka blocks a head kick by Henderson.
Pekka Punahilkka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Punahilkka scores with a sloppy right hand. Henderson should have avoided that one.
Punahilkka lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Henderson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Punahilkka connects with a high kick.
Henderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Punahilkka bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Henderson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Punahilkka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Henderson slips under a jab.
Barry Henderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Henderson throws a right and a left that both miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Barry Henderson.
I think Punahilkka has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

The fight is ruled a draw!