PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Talafua Toluao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sione Finau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Finau comes into a darkened arena with his song building. "Ninja Gaiden" by The Minibosses kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Toluao
vs
Finau

190 cm
21
313 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

191 cm
26
300 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Supersize Me

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Talafua Toluao!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sione Finau!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Hugh Johnson and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Toluao checks a leg kick nicely.
Finau tries to clinch but Toluao is having none of it.
Finau finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A slapping leg kick lands for Finau.
Toluao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Finau manages to avoid it.
Toluao fails with the takedown.
Toluao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Finau manages to avoid it.
Finau pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Finau defending well as Toluao loads up on a big left hand.
Finau uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Toluao.
Finau misses with a looping right.
Toluao scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Finau doesn't seem bothered though.
Toluao punishes Finau's body with a nice straight punch.
Toluao just misses with a punch to the body.
Toluao thows a left - swing and a miss!
Toluao lands with a cross.
Toluao throws a hook to the side of Finau's head but Finau sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Finau connects with a right hand. Toluao shakes it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Finau lands a jab to the head.
Finau takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Toluao misses its intended target.
Toluao has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Finau finds it's way round the side to connect with Toluao's head.
Toluao looks to land a right hand but Finau moved out of range.
Toluao is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Finau.
Finau takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Toluao cracks Finau with an open hand slap.
Finau keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Toluao.
Finau moves out of range of the strikes.
Toluao throws a shot from downtown. Finau moves away and avoids it.
Finau on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Finau is looking to slow Toluao down with leg kicks.
Finau bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Finau throws a big shot that misses.
Toluao lands a head shot.
Toluao swings for the body but Finau moves out of range.
Talafua Toluao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Toluao misses the shot to the body.
Toluao throws a body punch but Finau moves out of range.
Finau tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toluao swings for the body but Finau moves out of range.
Nice cross by Finau.
Toluao jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Finau looks to throw the jab but Toluao is out of range.
Toluao scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Toluao throws a body punch but Finau moves out of range.
Toluao uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A shot to de liver by Toluao. Beautiful body shot.
Toluao lands a really nice looking cross but Finau seems unphased.
Toluao misses with a wild body shot.
Finau throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Toluao lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Finau takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Finau ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Toluao throws a looping overhand right but Finau ducks down to avoid it.
Toluao lands a body shot.
Toluao just misses with a punch to the body.
Finau moves away from the strike by Toluao.
Toluao throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Finau stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finau slips a jab from Toluao.
Finau throws a shot from downtown. Toluao moves away and avoids it.
Toluao takes a swing at Finau's ribcage but misses.
Toluao misses with a body shot
and Toluao takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Toluao is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Toluao thows a body shot but no joy.
Toluao scores with a shot to the body.
Toluao tries to clinch but Finau is having none of it.
Toluao lands with a straight right. Finau didn't see that one coming.
Toluao throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Finau sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jab, jab by Toluao - just one landing.
Finau connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Finau staying out of range there.
Toluao dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Toluao bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Finau scoring well with a low kick there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Finau avoids the body shot from Toluao.
Finau shoots in for a takedown but Toluao shows good takedown defense.
A jab from Finau misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toluao throws a body punch but Finau moves out of range.
Finau scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Toluao misses with a body shot.
Toluao throws a sloppy body shot

and Finau moves into the clinch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Toluao throws an elbow but misses.

Finau gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Toluao is staying active underneath Finau, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Finau wants to free his trapped foot but Toluao is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Toluao manages to get to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Finau looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Toluao throws a jab but it's blocked by Finau.
Toluao misses with a body shot
and Finau counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Finau moves out of range of the strikes.
Finau paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Finau throws a right hand that Toluao ducks under and follows up with a left that Toluao also avoids with ease.
Toluao takes a jab right on the kisser.

It looks like Talafua Toluao has been cut.
Nice takedown defense from Toluao. No joy for Finau on that attempt.
The crowd cheers as Toluao lands an impressive looking overhand right. Finau doesn't seem phased though.
Finau slips a straight right by Toluao.
Finau throws a head kick that misses.
Toluao comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
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!
Nice defenses there by Finau.
Toluao cracks Finau with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Finau bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Toluao scores with a decent looking hook.
Toluao thows a left - swing and a miss!
Toluao misses the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Finau shoots for a double leg takedown but Toluao sprawls well. He's pushed Finau's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Toluao loads up on a big right hand but Finau slips the punch.
Toluao throws a jab when Finau was well out of range.
An inside leg kick from Finau misses.
Toluao fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Finau on the side of the head.
Toluao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Finau.
Toluao throws a hook to the side of Finau's head but Finau sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Toluao tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Finau was well out of range. Poor timing from Toluao.
A slapping leg kick lands for Finau.
Toluao lands a nice hook to Finau's body. Finau takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Toluao misses with a shot to the body
and Finau makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Toluao connects with a right hand. Finau shakes it off.
Finau uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Toluao.
Sione Finau seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Toluao looks to score with a jab to the body but Finau is just out of range.
Toluao throws a hook but Finau blocks it.
Toluao clobbers Finau with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Finau closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toluao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Finau manages to avoid it.
A clash of legs there as Toluao blocks the low kick.
Finau keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Toluao scores with a body shot.
A slow jab from Toluao misses its intended target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Toluao. Finau does a little dance to reset his feet.
A left lands for Toluao.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Toluao throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Finau sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Toluao swings away with a body shot that misses

and Finau counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Toluao looking for a sweep. Not yet Toluao, not yet.
Toluao lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Finau!
Toluao misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.

Toluao is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Finau has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Finau!
Finau trying to control but Toluao is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toluao is trying to hold Finau in close to prevent damage but Finau has managed to pass into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Toluao is staying active underneath Finau, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Toluao avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Finau.
Finau seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Toluao does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Toluao on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Toluao tries to get out of the position.
Toluao trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Finau has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Finau with a couple of short strikes.
Finau can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Toluao is looking to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Finau lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Finau avoids the attempt from Toluao to control.
Toluao is desperately trying to improve his position but Finau has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sione Finau showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Talafua Toluao's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Finau misses with a looping right.
Toluao misses with a straight right.
Toluao misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Finau.
Toluao scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Toluao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Finau.
Toluao bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Toluao misses with a hook to the body
and Finau counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Toluao on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Finau. Finau obviously looking to wear him down.
Toluao chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Finau can pounce on him.
Toluao swings for the body but Finau moves out of range.
Toluao digs a good body shot into Finau's ribs.
Finau works Toluao's body with a nice hook.

Finau takes the fight into the clinch.
Toluao tries to throw a body punch but Finau avoids it by throwing Toluao back against the cage.
Finau blocks an elbow strike from Toluao.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Finau.
Finau on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Toluao throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Finau blocks it with crossed arms.
Finau lands with a light punch inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toluao lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Finau blocks an uppercut.
Finau with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Finau will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Toluao up against the cage.
Finau digs a right hand underneath Toluao's ribcage. Toluao let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Finau is pushing Toluao up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Toluao is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Finau using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Finau lands a hook to the side of the head.
Toluao misses with a hook to the ribs.
Toluao tries to work over Finau's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Finau lands an elbow just above Toluao 's eye.

Finau gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Finau uses his free foot to push down on Toluao's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Toluao.
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!
Finau controlling the position easily from mount.
Finau trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Finau cracks Toluao with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Toluao is squirming around, avoiding Finau's attempts to control the action.
Finau is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Toluao keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Toluao tries to hold on but Finau postures up.
Finau throws some wild stikes that Toluao manages to avoid easily.
Toluao keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Finau lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Finau with the ground and pound from mount.
Finau looking to finish Toluao with some ground and pound. This is bad for Toluao!
A nice elbow there by Finau.
Toluao is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Finau wants to control the pace but Toluao is squirming around nicely.
Finau is landing with some decent strikes but Toluao is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Finau controlling from the full mount.
Toluao really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Finau controlling the pace for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Finau wants to control the pace but Toluao is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sione Finau really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Talafua Toluao's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Finau takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Toluao throws a hook but Finau avoids it easily.
Toluao jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Finau throws a nice outside leg kick.
Finau throws out a loose jab but Toluao uses good head movement to avoid it.
Toluao dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Toluao closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Finau did well to prevent Toluao getting side control.
Finau is pressing down on Toluao's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Finau bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Toluao's guard.
Finau wants to control from the top but Toluao keeps moving.
Finau might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Toluao kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sione Finau has got the better of the ground game so far.
Finau throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toluao bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Finau's guard.
Finau manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Toluao tries to hold on but Finau pushes him away.
Toluao tries to reverse the position but Finau maintains control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Finau throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Toluao wants to hold on but Finau pushes him away.
Finau looking to finish with strikes here!
Finau misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Toluao is trying to escape the mount.
Finau misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Toluao is squirming around, avoiding Finau's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finau controlling the position easily from mount.
Toluao is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Toluao tries to lock up and control but Finau gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Finau content just to control the position here.
Finau can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Toluao is looking to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Toluao is in all sorts of trouble here.
Finau trying to control but Toluao is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Sione Finau will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Talafua Toluao's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Toluao takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Toluao misses with a body shot
and Finau counters with a stiff right hand.
Finau takes one on the button.
Finau walks into a left hand.
Toluao cracks Finau with a right hand to the side of the head.
Finau staying out of range there.
Toluao ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Finau throws a looping overhand right but Toluao ducks down to avoid it.
Toluao scores with a jab to the head.
Finau misses with a hook.
Toluao throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Toluao misses with a body punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Finau slips a straight right by Toluao.
Finau ducks under a wild hook from Toluao.

Finau has Toluao up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toluao misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Finau lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Toluao tries to land knees in the clinch but Finau avoids the damage to the body.
Finau stalling in the clinch but Toluao improves position.
Toluao letting Finau take a breather here.
Finau is looking to control Toluao's arms but Toluao gets an underhook and turns him. Now Finau has his back to the cage.
Toluao using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Finau has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Finau lands a damaging elbow.
Finau has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Toluao tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Toluao tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Finau avoiding damage as Toluao throws knees to the body.
Finau lands a knee to the head.
Toluao comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Sione Finau has been cut.
Finau scores with a shoulder strike.
Finau prevents a body shot from Toluao.
Toluao misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Finau.
Finau is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Finau as the two fighters clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Finau lands a nice knee to the body.
Talafua Toluao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sione Finau is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Finau is working Toluao over against the cage.
A knee to the head by Finau.
Finau with a knee to the head.
Toluao throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Finau blocks it with crossed arms.
Finau avoiding damage.
Toluao tries to land knees in the clinch but Finau avoids the damage to the body.
Finau landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Finau prevents a body shot from Toluao.
Finau blocks an uppercut.
Sione Finau seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Finau putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Toluao in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Finau is pushing Toluao up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Finau scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Finau connects with a nasty looking knee right to Toluao's face.
Knees to the body from Finau.
Toluao tries a body shot but Finau blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Finau scores a nice knee to the body.
Finau landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Finau lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Finau cracks Toluao with a nice body shot.
Toluao misses with a hook to the ribs.
Stalling in the clinch from Finau.
Finau managing to block the knees to the body from Toluao.
Finau is stalling here.
Toluao tries to work over Finau's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Finau lands an elbow inside that Toluao shrugs off.

Talafua Toluao's cut is getting worse.
Finau lands a nice uppercut.
Toluao tries to land knees in the clinch but Finau avoids the damage to the body.
Toluao misses with a hook to the ribs.
Finau working Toluao over with knees to the body.
Finau lands an elbow just above Toluao 's eye.
Toluao tries a body shot but Finau blocks it.
Toluao tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Finau avoids it.
Toluao prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Toluao takes a knee right on the jaw!
Finau lands a right hand that snaps the head of Toluao backwards.
Toluao tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Finau avoids it.
Finau tries for a takedown. No joy.
Toluao goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Finau blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A nice left hand lands by Finau.

Talafua Toluao's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Toluao misses with a punch to the body.
Toluao misses with a knee strike.
Finau managing to block the knees to the body from Toluao.
Toluao is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Finau is defending well for now.
Finau will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Toluao up against the cage.
Toluao goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Toluao misses with a hook to the ribs.
Toluao throws a head punch that misses.
Finau lands with a light punch inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sione Finau comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Finau has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 45:50
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 45:50
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sione Finau! Sione Finau retains his super heavyweight title!